LI  B  R_ARY 

OF  THL 

UNIVERSITY 
OF    ILLINOIS 


T4<or 


f 


OCK  ISLAND 


RSEMAL 


i 


IN 

PEHCE 

AND  IN 


pry  Goods, 
Notions*? 

avenorr,  19*** 


A.  BURDICK,  JOHN  L.DOW,  C.  A.  MAST,  GEO.  HOEHN, 

President.  Vice-President.  Cashier.  Assistant  Cashier. 


THE 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK, 

DAVENPORT,    IOWA. 

Capital, $200,000.00 

Surplus,     ........         50,000.00 

Undivided  Profits, 20,000.00 

The  first  National  Bank  in  operation  in  the  United  States. 


COMMENCED    BUSINESS  JUNE   29,   1863. 


ANTHONY  BURDICK,  President.    .  LOUIS  HALLER,  Vice-President. 

HENRY  C.  STRUCK,  JR.,  Cashier.  OTTO  LADENBERGER,  Teller. 

W.  H.  WILSON,  Attorney. 


Cash  Capital,     =     =     $250,000 
Undivided  Profits,     -    $82,000  _4 —  Deposits,     -    -    -    $2,350,000 

Davenport  Savings  Bank 

OK    DAVENPORT,    IOWA. 
Organized  April  i,  1870. 

FOUR  PER  CENT  INTEREST  PAID  ON  DEPOSITS. 

MONEY  LOANED  ON  REAL  ESTATE  AND  PERSONAL  SECURITY. 


DIRECTORS 


A.  BURDICK.  L"OUIS  HALLER.  W.  H.  WILSON.  A.  STEFFEN.        *  H.  KOHRS. 

WM.  O.  SCHMIDT.  THOS.  SCOTT.  J.  F.  DOW.  H.  C.  STRUCK,  JR. 


F.  H.  GRIGGS,  President. 
ROBERT  KRAUSE,  Vice-President. 


E.  S.  CARL,  Cashier. 

F.  C.  KROEGER,  Ass't  Cashier. 


Citizens  Dlational  3$ank, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 
UNITED   STATES    DEPOSITORY. 


COMPTROLLER'S  CALL,  SEPT.  20,  1898. 


Resources. 


Liabilities. 


Loans  and  Discounts, 
U.  S.  Bonds  

Capital  Stock, 
Surplus  Fund, 
Undivided  Profits, 
Circulation,     . 

.    $300,000.00 
100,000.00 
9,930.63 
90,000.00 
«...    1,035,154.18 

Other  Bonds,       .... 

Furniture  and  Fixtures,   . 

5,000.00 

Cash  and  U.  S.  Treas.,      . 
Total, 

9',543-86 

Total, 

•    $1,535,074.81 

$1,535,074.81 

T.  W.  MCCLELLAND. 

ROBERT  KRAUSE. 

W.  C.  WADSWORTH. 

J.  J.  RICHARDSON. 


DIRECTORS. 

H.  O.  SEIFFERT. 
P.  T.  KOCH. 

A.  W.  VANDERVEER. 


OTTO  ALBRECHT. • 
F.  H.  GRIGGS.   • 

J.  LORENZEN.    • 

H.  H.  A"NDRESE> 


H.  H.  ANDRESEN,  President. 

H.  LISCHER,  Vice-President. 


CHAS.  N.  VOSS,  Cashier. 

J.  F.  BREDOW,  Ass't  Cashier. 


Cash  Capital, 


$500,000.00 


<3erman  Savings 


DAVENPORT,   IOWA. 

of    .— it  -  i  >t  t  - 1  i  1 1  »«.- 1-    :s<  ». 
ASSETS. 


Loans  secured  by  Mortgages 
Loans  secured  by  Collaterals 

Bonds,  etc. 

$3.366,319.68 
1,344,199.39 

Total  Loans, 
Cash  on  Hand  and  in  Banks, 
Cash  in  Transit,             . 

$4,610,519.07 
$543,412.23 
73,  "93-35 

Total  Cash, 
Real  Estate, 

$616,605.48 
80,135.68 

Total  Assets,      ............      $5,307,350.33 


Deposits, 
Capital  Stock, 
Undivided  Profits, 


LIABILITIES. 


$4,622,845.64 
500,000.00 
184,404.59 


Total  Liabilities, 


DIRECTORS. 

OTTO  ALBRECHT.  J  H.  LISCHER.  H.  O.  SEIFFERT.  H.  H.  ANDRESEN.  «  JENS  LORENZEN.  • 

CHARLES  N.  Voss.  F.  H.  GRIGGS.    ,  T.  A.  MURPHY.  L.  WAHLE. 


Ill 


W.  C.  HAYWARD,  President.  HENRY  EGBERT,  Vice-President.  S.  D.  BAWDEN,  Cashier. 

ESTABLISHED  IN   1864. 

DAVENPORT  NATIONAL  BANK, 

S.  E.  COR.  THIRD  AND  BRADY  STREETS, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 
Capital, $  WO, 000  Surplus  and  Profits,     .     $35,000 

ACCOUNTS,  COLLECTIONS,  AND  OTHER  BUSINESS  OF  BANKS,  BANKERS,  CORPORATIONS 
AND  INDIVIDUALS   RESPECTFULLY  SOLICITED. 


W.  C.  HAYWARD,  President.  FRED.  B.  SHARON,  Vice-President.  S.  L.  ELY,  Cashier. 

UNION  SAVINGS  BANK, 

S.  E.  COR.  THIRD  AND  BRADY  STS. 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

Capital, $60,000  Undivided  Profits,    .     .     .     $10,000 

Four  per  Cent  Interest  Paid  on  Deposits. 
Money  Loaned  on  Real  Estate  and  Personal  Security. 

CHAS.  BEIDERBECKE,  President.  A.  P.  DOE,  Vice-President.  CHAS.  PASCHE,  Cashier. 

THE   IOWA   NATIONAL   BANK, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

THE  RECORD  FOR  FIVE  YEARS  -  COM  PTROLLER'S  STATEMENTS. 

AT  CLOSE  OF  BUSINESS      ....    Dec.  19,  1893      Dec.  19,  1894      Dec.  13,  1895      Dec.  17,  1896      Dec.  15,  1897 

Capital, $100,000.00  $100,000.00    $100,000.00  $100,000.00  $100,000.00 

Surplus  and  Undivided  Profits,         12,134.78       13,497.20       14,668.21       15,923.60       18,128.29 
Deposits, 237,029.24     399,800.11      410,980.28     363,854.17     654,386.65 

DIRECTORS 


CHAS.  BEIDERBECKE.        A.   P.  DOE.        W.  P.  HALLIGAN.        HENRY  SCHROEDER.        J.  H.  HASS.        M.  D.  PETERSEN. 
J.  D.  BROCKMANN.          P.  J.  PAULSEN.  FRED.  HAAK.  C.  A.  FICKE.          W.  O.  SCHMIDT. 

NEW    BUSINESS    INVITED. 

. . .  THE . . . 

SCOTT  COUNTY  SAVINGS  BANK, 

N.  W.  COR.  THIRD  AND  BRADY  STREETS, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

Pays  Four  per  Cent  Interest  on  Deposits. 

TOTAL  DEPOSITS,  Over  $2,000,000.00 


The  only  Savings  Bank  la  Davenport  owning  Its  own  home. 

farmers  and  mechanics  Savings  Bank 


OFFICERS  AND   DIRECTORS. 


Officers. 

FRED  HEINZ,  President. 
GLAUS  STOLTENBERG, 

Vice-President. 
J.  B.  MEYER,  Cashier. 

Directors. 

GEORGE  MBNGEL. 

H.  STOLTENBERG. 

GEO.  WALTERS. 
JULIUS  SANDER. 

RUDOLPH  ROHLFS. 

E.  J.  DOUGHERTY. 


HEINZ  &  FISHER,  Attorneys. 


21$  fiarrison  Street, 


Cash  Capital.  -  $100,000 

A  GENERAL  BANKING 
BUSINESS  TRANS- 
ACTED. 

* 

4%  Interest  Paid  on 
Deposits. 

Money  Loaned  on  Real 

Estate  and  Personal 

Property. 

9  • 

Foreign  and  Domestic 
Drafts  Sold. 


Davenport,  Iowa 


GOVERNMENT  BUILDING,  DAVENPORT. 


H.  A.  AINSWORTH,  President.  G.  H.  EDWARDS,  Vice-President.  C.  F.  HEMENWAY,  Cashier. 

MOLINE  NATIONAL   BANK, 

Banking    House,    Cor.   Third    Avenue    and.    Fifteenth.    Street, 

HOL1NE,    ILLINOIS. 

CAPITAL $100,000  SURPLUS $20,000 

Drafts  dra<wn  on  the  principal  cities  of  the  United  States  and  Europe, 
Collections  Receive  Prompt  Attention. 

DIRECTORS. 

-G.  H.  EDWARDS.  PORTER  SKINNER.  A.  S.  WRIGHT.  C.  R.  AINSWORTH.  J.  SILAS  LEAS. 

C.  F.  HEMENWAY.  L.  E.  HEMENWAY.  H.  A.  AINSWORTH.  HIRAM  DARLING. 


<*> 


HIRAM  DARLING,  President.  A.  S.  WRIGHT,  Vice-President.  C.  F.  HEMENWAY,  Cashier. 

ORGANIZED    UNDER   STATE    LAW. 

MOLINE  STATE  SAVINGS   BANK. 

CAPITAL,  $100,000       SURPLUS,  $11,000 

Office   in    IVloline    National   Bank    Bldg.,   Cor.   Third   A_ve.   and    Kifteenth   St. 

Four  per  Cent  Interest  Paid. 

DIRECTORS. 

PORTER    SKINNER.  C.  A.  ROSE.  G.  H.  EDWARDS.  A.  S.  WRIGHT.  W.  W.  WELLS. 

H.  A.  AINSWORTH.  W.  H.  ADAMS.  HIRAM    DARLING.  C.  F.  HEMENWAY. 


J.  M.  GOULD,  President. 

J.  T.  BROWNING,  Vice-President.  ORGANIZED    DECEMBER,    1863. 

J.  S.  GILLMORE,  Cashier. 


FIRST  RATIONAL  <BANK, 

ZMOLINE,  ILLINOIS. 

Cash  Capital,   $150,000.  D.RECTORS. 

J.  M.  GOULD.  WM.  BUTTERWORTH.  T.  M.  SECHLER. 

Surplus,   $30,000.  CHAS-  H>  DEERE-        F-  w-  GOULD-  E-  H-  SLEIGHT. 


H.  A.  BARNARD.  J.  S.    GILLMORE.  MORRIS  GEISMAR. 

J.  T.  BROWNING.  A.  F.  VINTON. 

04— 


J.  T.  BROWNING,  President.  P.  H.  WESSEL,  Vice-President.  JOHN  S.  GILLMORE,  Cashier. 

Incorporated  under  State  Law.        Began  Business  July  i,  1891. 

^PEOPLES  SAVINGS  <BANK, 

ZMOLINE,  ILLINOIS. 

Capital,  $100,000  Surplus,  $10,000 

•Open  Daily  9.-  onWednesday  and  Qff{C£  W|TH  RRST  NAT|ONAL  BANK. 


FOUR   PER  CENT  INTEREST  PAID  ON    DEPOSITS. 

—  DIRECTORS  — 

•C.  H.  DEERE.  C.  R.  AINSWORTH.  G.  H.  SOHRBECK.  GEO.  STEPHENS.  J.  T.  BROWNING.  P.  H.  WESSEL. 

P.  C.  SIMMON.  A.  A.  CRAMPTON.  E.  B.  KEATOR.  T.   M.  SECHLER.  JOHN    W.  GOOD. 


ORGANIZED    1871. 


T.  J.  ROBINSON,  President. 


J.  H.  WILSON,  Vice-President. 


J.  F.  ROBINSON,  Cashier. 


Rock  Island  National  Bank, 


UNITED    STATES    DEPOSITORY, 


ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


Capital, 


$100,000.00  Surplus $75,000.00 


T.  J.  ROBINSON. 
E.  D.  SWEENEY. 


DIRECTORS 


J.H.WILSON.  F.  C.  A.  DENKMANN. 

CHAS.  L.  WALKER.  H.  S.  HANSON. 


PETER  FRIES. 
J.  F.  ROBINSON. 


NEW  POST  OFFICE,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


P.  L.  MITCHELL  ESTATE. 
PHIL  MITCHELL. 


S.  A.  LYNDE. 
C.  F.  LYNDE. 


ESTABLISHED  1856. 


MITCHELL  &  LYNDE, 

BANKERS 


SUCCESSORS  TO  FIRST  NATIONAL 
BANK  189O. 


ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


J.  M.  BUFORD, 

President. 

JOHN  CRUBAUGH, 
Vice-President. 

P.  GREENAWALT, 

Cashier. 


DIRECTORS. 

H.  S.  CABLE. 

WM.  WlLMERTON. 

JOHN  CRUBAUGH. 
PHIL  MITCHELL. 
H.  P.  HULL. 

L.  SIMON. 
JOHN  VOLK. 

E.  W.  HURST. 

J.  M.  BUFORD. 


Slock  Ssland  Savings  3$ank 


(Incorporated  Under  the  State  Law), 

ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


Open  Daily  from  9  A.  M.  to  3  F.  M., 

and  Saturday  Evenings  from 

7  to  8  o'clock. 


MONEY  LOANED 

on  Personal,  Collateral  or  Real  Estate 
Security. 


INTEREST    PAID    ON    DEPOSITS. 

JACKSON  &  HURST,  Solicitors.  Office  in  MITCHELL  &  LYNDE'S  BLOCK. 

viii 


JOSEPH  ROSENFIELD,  President.  PETER  FRIES,  Vice-President.  C.  HELLPENSTELL,  Cashier. 

(beoples  Iftational  Bank, 

IRocfc  islanb,  ill. 


Capital, 

Surplus  and  Profits,     . 


$100,000.00 
75,000.00 


DIRECTORS. 


F.  C.  A.  DENKMANN. 


F.  WEYERHAZUSER. 
GEORGE  WAGNER. 


I.  HUBER.  D.  T.  ROBINSON. 

JOSEPH  ROSENFIELD. 


PETER  FRIES. 


MOLINE  POST  OFFICE  BUILDING. 


FRED.  HEINZ. 

L.  M.  FISHER. 


HEINZ  &  FISHER 

LAWYERS 

Over  Farmers  and  Mechanics 
Savings  Bank. 


MONEY  LOANED  ON 
IOWA  FARMS. 

Twenty-five  years'  experience. 
No  Losses. 


COLLECTIONS  OF  ALL  KINDS  IN  IOWA 
ATTENDED  TO. 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Farm 
Mortgages. 


\17E  constantly  have  on  hand 
and  for  sale  choice  first 
mortgages  on  improved  farms 
in  the  best  counties  of  Iowa. 
Investors  are  invited  to  make 
an  examination  of  these  securi- 
ties. 

FICKE  &  FICKE, 

ATTORNEYS  AT  LAW, 
213  MAIN  ST. 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


W.H.WILSON, 

(Attorney  at  La<w. 

FARM 
LOANS 


.  .  A  SPECIALTY. 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


S.  F.  SMITH, 
Bonds 

and 

Mortgages. 

207  BRADY  STREET, 

DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


$5,000,000 

— IN — 

FARM    LOANS 


'HpHIS  sum  and  more  has  been  han- 
dled by  me  in  Iowa  and  Northern 
Missouri  Farm  Mortgages  during  the 
last  twenty-five  years,  without  loss  to 
either  my  clients  or  myself.     My  loans 
have  always  been  prompt  payers,  and 
worth  par  in  times  of  panic  or  pros- 
perity, war  or  peace. 
Write  for  circulars. 

H.   M.    HENLEY, 

Lawyer  and  Loan  Broker, 

Nos.  30,  31  &  32  Masonic  Temple, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Chas.  D.  Martin 


Chas.  H.  Reupke 


Martin  & 
Reupke 


REAL  ESTATE 

and 

LOANS 

%  money  to  loan  on  Scott 
County  Improved  Farms. 

No.  228  Main  Street, 

DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


TURNER  HALL,  DAVENPORT. 


OF  DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


ORGANIZED  IN  1883. 

Capital  (full  paid), $100,000.00 

Total  Assets 203,645.29 


Reinsurance  Reserve  and  all  other  Liabilities, 
Surplus  to  Policyholders,          .... 


S.  F.  GILMAN,  President. 
W.  H.  FERNALD. 
HENRY  LISCHER. 


OFFICERS  AND  DIRECTORS. 

J.  B.  PHELPS,  Vice-President.  JENS  LORENZEN. 


69,825.66 

133.819.63 

$203,645.29 


M.  L.  MARKS,  Treasurer. 
HENRY  SCHROEDER. 


WALTER  CHAMBERS. 

E.  J.  BABCOCK,  Secretary. 


Business  confined  to  the  State  of  Iowa. 


For  Agencies,  correspond  with  the  Home  Office. 


H.  SNIDER 
&  SON, 

Insurance  and 
Real  Estate 


LIFE  AND  ACCIDENT  INSURANCE 
SURETY  BONDS. 

The  Travelers'  Life  and  Accident  Co. 
of  Hartford. 

Life  and  Endowment  Policies  at  the  Low- 
est Guaranteed  Rates  in  the  Travelers'. 

Get  our  rates  before  you 
insure,  and  save  money. 

209  Main  Street,        DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


And  keys  kept  safe. — Shakespeare. 


F.  H.  MILLER,  President. 

S.  F.  SMITH,  Vice-President. 

E.  H.  RYAN,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
W.  W.  HUMPHREY,  Custodian. 


Davenport  Safety 
Deposit  Co. 

OFFICE : 

Under  First  National  Bank, 

CORNER  SECOND  AND  MAIN  STREETS, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

^Boxes  for  rent  at  low  rates. 

Valuables  cared  for  by  tbe  day,  month 

or  year. 


1882 


1898 


federal  %i 


OF    DAVENPORT,  IOWA, 

Has  long  since  passed  the  experimental  stage  of  its  existence,  and  bases  its  claims  for  public 
patronage  upon  its  unassailable  record,  its  experience  and  the  intrinsic  merit  of  its  plans. 

Organized  under  the  stringent  laws  of  Iowa, 

It  is  submitted  that  this  Company  is  especially  deserving  of  consideration  by  those  who  seek 
for  their  families  protection  of  the  most  absolute  character  at  the  lowest  cost  attainable  by 
intelligent  management,  prudence  and  economy. 

It  has  achieved  a  reputation  second  to  none,  and  is  worthy  of  every  confidence  reposed 
in  it,  and  is  eminently  deserving  of  the  prosperity  it  has  enjoyed  in  the  past  and  will  continue 
to  experience  in  the  future. 


COL.  HENRY  EGBERT,  President. 


E.  H.  WHITCOMB,  Secretary  and  General  Manager. 


DIRECTORS. 

HENRY  EGBERT,  Egbert,  Fidler  &  Chambers,  Publishers. 
ERASTUS  BENSON,  Attorney  at  Law. 

E.  B.  HAYWARD,  Wholesale  Lumber. 

S.  D.  BAWDEN,  Cashier,  Davenport  National  Bank. 
A.  V.  MARTIN,  American  Luxfer  Prism  Co. 

THOS.  THOMPSON,  Books,  Stationery,  etc. 

E.  H.  WHITCOMB,  Secretary,  Federal  Life  Association. 

DR.  WM.  D.  MIDDLETON,  Surgeon-in-Chief,  C.  R.  I.  &  P.  R'y. 


YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION  BUILDING,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


HEAD  i 

W  A  MO1'  '  "•    0 
C  W.  HAV,  • 


oMmefiea. 


FRATERNAL 
BENEFICIAL  SOCIETY. 


5>o  the  American  ^People: 


The  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  is  the  leading  Fraternal  Beneficiary  Society  in  the 
land.  Its  claim  to  preeminency  is  based  upon  its  restricted  territory,  selected  risks,  low  (35.76) 
average  age,  its  exclusion  of  extra  hazardous  employments  and  its  conservative  business 
management. 

Assessments  for  the  discharge  of  mortuary  liabilities  are  graduated  according  to  the  age  of 
the  applicant,  which  are  not  thereafter  increased.  The  maximum  limit  is  forty-five  years  ;  one 
past  that  age  is  ineligible  to  beneficiary  membership. 

Its  form  of  government  is  representative  and  uninterruptedly  within  the  control  of  its  mem- 
bership. Its  legislative  power  is  its  Head  Camp,  composed  of  delegates  elected  and  convening 
biennially.  This  body,  fresh  from  the  membership,  enacts  the  Society's  laws  and  defines 
its  policy. 

Its  financial  affairs  are  protected  by  an  admirable  system  of  checks  and  counter-checks, 
rendering  fraud  and  deception  practically  impossible.  No  dollar  can  be  disbursed  from  its 
funds  without  the  signature  of  its  Head  Consul,  Head  Clerk  and  a  majority  of  its  Board  of 
Directors. 

It  is  a  corporation,  chartered  by  the  State  of  Illinois  May  5,  1884. 

In  no  year  has  its  membership  been  called  upon  to  contribute  more  than  eleven  assessments 
and  in  the  past  two  years  ten  have  sufficed  to  discharge  its  mortuary  liabilities  in  full. 
\    In  the  fifteen  years  of  its  history  $11,272,594.95  has  been  disbursed  to  the  beneficiaries  of  its 
5.535  deceased  members. 

The  growtKof  the  Society  has  been  phenomenal,  evidencing  its  popularity  with  its  con- 
stituency—  tjie  people  of  the  Great  Northwest.  Commencing  with  a  modest  bid  for  business 
in  1884,  it  had  attained  a  membership  of  42,694  in  1890.  It  now  has  340,000  members,  and 
1,500,000  beneficiaries  look  to  it  for  protection. 

The  headquarters  of  the  Society  are  now  in  its  new  and  elegant  fireproof  building  at  Rock 
Island.  It  is  a  neighbor  to  the  greatest  Arsenal  in  the  world. 

Very  truly  yours, 


Head  Clerk,  M.  W.  of  A. 


'TIS 
NOT 
THE 


Price,  ™SB  Value 

that  makes  people  buy  those 


ALL-WOOL 
SUITS  and 
OVERCOATS 


For... 


$10 


We  have  them  in  Fancy 
, .  Mixtures  and  Black  . , 


Kept  in  repair  for 
one  year  FREE. 


Your  money  back  if 
you  want  it. 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


McCullough  Building, 


122,  124  and  126 
West  Third  Street 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA 


The 

most 

complete 

and 

modern 

Office 

Building 

in  the 

City. 


Luxfer  Prisms,  Steam  Heat,  Electric 
Light,  Crane  Elevator,  Fire  Escape  front 
and  rear.  No  other  building  equipped  in 
this  manner.  Reasonable  Rent. 


THE  NEW  HOME  OF  THE  MODERN  WOODMEN  OF  AMERICA,  ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


Kimball  Reuse 


AMERICAN    PLAN 


ft  ft  ft  Rates:  $2.00,  $2.50,  $3.00  per  day 


T).  Cd.  Sommers,  proprietor 

(Formerly  of  the  Virginia  and  Metropole  Hotels  of  Chicago. 


BLACK  HAWK  INN.— Open  from  May  to  October  i. 


Tte 


L  J 


o  o     Modernized 


American 
Plan. 

ISO  Rooms. 

H.  Birdsall, 

Proprietor. 


Cwo  of  the  Leading  fiotels  in  Illinois 


HARPER  MOUSE,  Rock  Island,  111. 

CHAS.  McHLKiH,  Manager. 


NATIONAL  HOTEL,  Peofia,  111. 
J.  E.  MONTROSE,  Manager. 


MONTROSE  &    MCHUGH 


PROPRIETORS. 


To  KIRCHBi 


iT^y  Tl  O      ft 

Solid 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


We  have  fourvc]  the  name 
orv  each  piece  of 


Davenport,  Iowa. 


Saint  Katharine's  Hall, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 
A  Boarding  and  Day  School  for  Girls. 

Owned  and  carried  on 

by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

THE  BISHOP  OF  IOWA,  President. 

Girls  Prepared  for  the  Women's  Colleges, 

Vassar,  Smith,  Wellesley,  etc.,  and  for  the 
Chicago  University.  Also  for  those  who 
do  not  intend  taking  a  College  Course,  a 
Broad  Academic  Course, with  Music,  Draw- 
ing and  Painting.  Number  of  Boarding 
Pupils  limited  to  fifty.  Twelve  Teachers 
employed. iarM,ss  E  A  R,CE> 

L(B.  A.,  Yassar),  Principal. 


Established  1861. 


JOHN  HOYT, 


WHOLESALE  AND 
RETAIL  DEALER 
IN.... 


SHEET  MUSIC,  ETC. 

Nos.  Ill  and  113  West  Third  Street, 


ESTEY,  TABER 

AND  OTHER   ORGANS. 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


STEINWAY,  EVERETT 

AND  OTHER    PIANOS. 


•  m»I   I     -^ 

Musical  Merchandise 




STE ITVWAY  ~1»  lA'JT  O  S 


LARGEST   STOCK   IN    THE  WEST. 


DAVENPORT  PUBLIC  LIBRARY. 


J.  P.  VAN  PATTEN.  M.  L.  MARKS. 

ESTABLISHED   1844. 


AND  ROASTERS  OF  COFFEES. 
119, 121, 123  East  Second  Street,    .    .     DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

^Beiderbecke-cMiller  Co. 

WHOLESALE  GROCERS, 

107  and  t09  West  Second  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


ESTABLISHED   1876. 


ERD-IX  T.  SMITH  &  BROS. 

WHOLESALE    GROCERS, 

221   PERRY  STREET, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 
REIMERS  <£  FERNALD  CO. 

MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Candy  and  Crackers. 

jobbers  in  213  and  215  East  Second  Street, 

nuts,  Cigars,  etc.***  Davenport, 


ESTABLISHED  1857. 

HENRY  DART'S  SONS, 

WHOLESALE  GROCERS 

ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 

A.  C.  DART. 


McNevin  &  Gansert, 

MANUFACTURING  CONFECTIONERS 
M.  &  G.  Menthol  Cough  Drops. 

Rock  Island,  111. 


NEW  COURTHOUSE,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


XXI 


National,  Co. 


-Manufacturers  of 


CRACKERS  AND  CANDIES, 

Branch  Office,  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

THE  CRESCENT  MACARONI  GO. 

MANUFACTURERS    OF 

MACARONI 

SPAGHETTI,   VERMICELLI,   EGG    NOODLES   AND   SELF-RISING    PANCAKE   FLOUR 

Cor.  Fifth  and  Iowa  Sts.,    -    DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Gbas.  p.  Ranzow  &  Son, 

Paints, 

Oils,  Varnishes,  Brushes, 
Mixed  Paints. 

Wall  Paper  and  Picture  Frames. 


SON 

I S  i  I T 1 1 1 1 

PAI. VI  S.OILS& GLASS 


528-532  W.  Third  St. 
..DAVENPORT,  IOWA.. 


A.  P.  DOE  &  CO. 


WHOLESALE 
DEALERS  IN... 


Serviceable, 
Good=Fitting, 
Up=to=Date  . . 


Boots  and  Shoes 

FOR  WESTERN   WEAR. 
No.  117  E.  Second  St.,  DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


A.  BURDICK,  Prest. 


H.  H.  ANDRESEN,  Vice-Prest. 
E.  B.  DAWES,  Sup't. 


F.  G.  CLAUSEN,  Sec'y  and  Treas. 


Davenport  Canning  and  Conserving  Co, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA, 


-PACKERS  OF- 


L1TTLE  DUKE  PEAS. 
EARLY  CLUSTER  JUNE  PEAS. 
DAVENPORT  BRAND  SUGAR  CORN. 
SEAL  OF  IOWA  SUGAR  CORN. 
BASKET  BRAND  SUGAR  CORN. 


GOLDEN  SLIPPER  SUGAR  CORN. 
BATTLE  AX  BRAND  SUGAR  CORN. 
WILD  ROSE  SUGAR  CORN. 
GOLDEN  SHEAF  SUGAR  CORN. 


WASHBURN-HALLIGAN  COFFEE  CO. 

MANUFACTURERS    OF   THE      'PURE     QUILL"    BRANDS    OF 

Baking  Powder,  Flavoring  Extracts  ^Ground  Spices 

IMPORTERS    AND   JOBBERS    OF   HIGH-GRADE 

TEAS,  COFFEES  AND  SPICES. 

OUR    LEADING    BRANDS    OF   COFFEES    ARC 

O.  G.  JAVA  and  MOCHA,  P.  Q.  JAVA  and  MOCHA, 

CUCUTA  JAVA  and  MOCHA,  AMBER  JAVA  and  MOCHA. 

Our  Coffees  are  selected  from  the  best  coffee-producing  countries  in  the  world,  carefully  blended,  fresh  roasted, 

absolutely  pure.    Order  from  your  grocer. 

-DAVENPORT,  IOWA.- 


MOLINE  CLUB— INTERIOR  VIEW. 


XXI11 


W.  P.  HALLIGAN  Co. 


LEHIGH  AND  SCRANTON   HARD  COAL 


THIRD  VEIN    LA  SALLE   COAL 


CABLE'S   CELEBRATED    LUMP  AND    NUT  COAL. 


OFFICES: 

Main  Office.— 434  Brady  Street.  A  YARDS! 

Branch  Offices. —  422  Harrison  Street  and  jwc  *"'  to  422  Harrison  Street,  and  Fifth  and 

436  Fillmore  Street.  •$*  Fillmore  Streets. 

TELEPHONE   171. 


Telephone  444.  Of  fice  and  Yard  :  425  BRADY  STREET. 

A.  TREDICK, 
Ooal 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


The  Marquette  Third  Vein  Coal  Co. 

Mines:  MARQUETTE,  III.  (La  Salle  District).  ^ 

.JfX 
MARQUETTE  Building,  Chicago.  POCA^ 

,'  -~..  .A  N  ° - 

MARQUETTE  Third  Vein  is  the  purest  coal  mined  in  Illinois.  fc;ONO 

MARQUETTE  is  located  on  the  line  of  tin-  C.  R.  I.  K  !>.  R'y,        ,  ^^^V 
near  junction  with  C.  &  N.-W.  R'y,  and  immediately  on  the  line       vlf^       __^_^ 
of  the  Hennepin  Canal,  now  under  construction.  ^f 

DELIVERED  PRICES  ON   APPLICATION. 
Capacity,  1,500  tons  per  day.  Office:  LlA  V  CrlN  Ivllv  '  »     IvJWAi 


Pl.KHSYIVAMA 
HHfH(tKAMWAlt.tfWl/llt 


^  NAVAt  S/<>/«.s    tlKSfj 

*«  v:C:~B  J, Jfjf!  MAIM  OFFICE  AND  WOR 

STATIONS: 

^^W"^HHPS'^^ 

CHrCAQOlLL.  ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 

BURLINGTON,  ICA'A.  PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 

NtW  YORK,  N    Y.  HAMBURG,  Qt^MANY. 
AMSTERDAM  AND  ROTTERDAM,  HOI'  AND 


FEJERVARY 
HOME  FOR  AGED  MEN,  DAVENPORT. 


Established  1851. 
Louis  HANSSEN. 


Incorporated  1897. 
Louis  HANSSEN'S  SONS. 


Louis  Hanssen's  Sons, 

Hardware, 
Fine  Tools, 
Cutlery, 

Manufacturers'  Supplies,  Wood  and 

Metal  Workers'  High~Glass  Tools 

and  Machines,  Draughtsmen's 

Instruments  and  Materials. 


SEED  DEPARTMENT. 


213  and  215  West  Second  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


S.  M.  REYNOLDS  &  Co. 

DEALERS  IN 

Hardware 
AND  Bicycles. 


223    Brady   Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Sickels,  'Preston  &  cNytting  Co. 


WHOLESALE  HARDWARE. 


DEALERS   IN 

CUTLERY,  TIN  AND  TERNE  PLATES, 
SHEET  IRON,  METALS,  TINNERS'  TOOLS 
AND  TINNERS'  STOCK,  JAPANNED,  PRESSED 
AND  GRANITE  IRONWARE,  ROPE,  TWINES, 
CORDAGE,  PAINTS,  OILS  AND  BRUSHES. 


A  Specialty  of  Corrugated  Iron  and  Pressed  Metal  Ceilings. 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA, Sickels,  Preston  &  Nutting  Co. 

NEW  YORK  CITY, Sickels  &  Nutting  Co. 

(35  Barclay  Street  and  40  Park  Place.) 


The  best  and  cheapest  light  is  gas  with 
incandescent  burners* 

Use  gas  stoves  for  cooking  and  heating 

Davenport  Gas  and  Electric 
Company* 


BROADWAY  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


XXV11 


D.  ROY  BOWLBY, 


WHOLESALE  AND 
RETAIL 


Pianos 
^Organs 

Established  in  Ifyck  Island  twenty  years. 

\ 8,000  Pianos  and  Organs 
sold  in  287  towns  throughout 
Western  Illinois  and 
Eastern  Iowa  since  J878. 

1609  Second  c/lvenue> 
ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


Duncan's  Davenport 
Business  College 


Excels  any  other 

in  the  training  it  gives 

to  its  students  in  figures, 

and  is  thorough  in  other  branches. 


The  (^actuates 

of  this  school  are 
to  be  found  in  the 
best  positions  in  the  land. 


• 


WM.  JOHNS, 

Ratter  * 


urnfebcr 


'Best  $3.oo  Hats 

50-cent 

on  Earth. 

314  Brady  Street, 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


The  Largest  Assortment  In 
THE  THREE  CITIES. 

HIGH-GRADE  GOODS  at 
..MODERATE  PRICES.. 

Prompt  Attention  to  Mail  Orders. 

GOODS  GUT,  TRIMMED 
and  MADE  UP  for  Out- 
of~Town  Trade  at  Rea- 
sonable Rates 

£)rebing 

220  Brady  St.  DAVENPORT, 

IOWA. 


MOLINE  HIGH  SCHOOL. 


XXIX 


JOHN  DEERE, 

PIONEER   PLOW   MANUFACTURER, 

FOUNDER    OF 

DEERE  &  COMPANY, 

1847. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE  ARSENAL,  ISLAND   AND   CANAL. 


Rear  View  of  the  North  Row  of  Shops,  2 
Twenty-three  Hundred  Arsenal  Workmen,  4 

Pier  of  the  First  Bridge 5 

First  Railroad  Bridge  Across  the  Mis- 
sissippi River, 6 

The  First  Bridge  as  Rebuilt  after  Dam- 
age by  Fire  and  Ice, 6 

Looking  Toward  Davenport  from  the 

Island  Clock  Tower, 7 

Main  Government  Bridge,  five  views,  .  8 

The  Moline  Bridge, 9 

The  Lion's  Head,       9 

City  of  Rock  Island  from  the  Arsenal 

Clock  Tower, .  10 

Overlooking  the   Island   from    Moline 

Bluffs, ii 

The  Lower  End  of  the  Island,     ......  12 

Fort  Armstrong  Avenue, 13 

The  Arsenal  Mascot, 14 

Main  Entrance  to  Arsenal,       ....  15 

Black  Hawk, 16 

Black  Hawk's  Landmark, 17 

Black  Hawk  Drive, 17 

Firing  Lying,      .     .     .     .*  .     .     .     .     .  17 

Fort  Armstrong, 18 

The  Sun  Dial, 19 

Where  Old  Glory  Always  Waves,    .     .  20 

Gen.  Winfield  Scott's  Headquarters,  1832,  20 

Near  the  Cannon's  Mouth,       ....  21 

George  Davenport,     .......  22 

Col.  George  Davenport's  House,  two 

views, 23 

Island  Trees,  five  views, 24 

The  Reservoir,       . 25 

In  Time  of  Peace,  seven  views,   ...  26 

A  Paper  Target, 27 

Main  Avenue,  near  Moline,      ....  28 

Planted  Cannon,     . 29 

Rock  Island  Military  Prison,    ....  30 

Col.  A.  J.  Johnson,* 31 


PAGE 

Military  Prison  Scenes,  five  views,   .     .  32 

In  Prison  Days, 33 

Attention,  Please,       34 

Press  for  Printing  Targets,       ....  34 

Boys  Covering  Canteens, 35 

The  Arsenal  Gun  Yard,  five  views,       .  36 

Island  Golf  Links,  two  views,      ...  37 

The  Island  Lake,  four  views,  ....  38 

The  Rodman  Monument,  two  views,    .  39 

Memorial  Day  on  the  Island,  three  views,  40 

Fort  Flagler, 41 

A  Trophy, 42 

Elm  Drive, 43 

Heavy  Ordnance,  five  views,   ....  44 

Light  Ordnance,  five  views,     ....  45 
Commandant's    House   and   Grounds, 

five  views, 46 

Battery  in  Action,        48 

Officer's  Sword, 49 

Rear  View  of  Shop  B, 50 

South  Row  of  Shops,      .          ....  51 

Shop  K, 52 

Blacksmith  Shop  and  Foundry,    ...  52 

Rifles  and  Carbine, 53 

The  Water  Power,  five  views,      ...  54 

New  Water-Power  Dam, 55 

Government  Water-Power  Dam,      .     .  56 

Headquarters  Building,       57 

Map  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal,       ...  58 

Assistant  Officers'  Quarters,    ....  59 

Storehouse  A, 59 

Old  and  New  Buildings,  six  views,  .     .  60 

The  Barracks,  two  views, 61 

Sylvan  Water,  Opposite  Moline,       .     .  62 

A  Bill  of  Goods, 63 

Arsenal  Workmen  Leaving  for  Home,  64 

Foundry  and  Rolling  Mill,       ....  65 

The  Steam  Hammer, 66 

Group  of  Day  Foremen 67 

Equipments,  seven  views, 68 


xxxi 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


THE  ARSENAL,  ISLAND  AND  CANAL —  Continued. 


PAGE 

Group  of  Night  Foremen, 69 

In  the  Harness  Shop,  four  views,     .     .  70 

The  Tin-Cup  Shop, 71 

The  Main  Machine  Shop,  five  views,     .  72 

The  Blacksmith  Shop, 73 

In  the  Carpenter  Shop, 74 

In  the  Machine  Shop, 75 

The  Tin  Shop,  seven  views,     ....  76 

General  Stores,  five  views 77 

Shipments  to  Cuba,  three  views,      .     .  78 

A  Corner  in  the  Sewing-Machine  Room,  79 

In  the  Foundry,  five  views,      ....  80 

A  Pay  Envelope, 81 

The  Crowded  Main  Avenue,  two  views,  82 

Interiors  of  Shops,  five  views,      ...  84 

The  Old  Mill, 86 

One  of  Many  Empty  Rooms,   ....  87 

In  Time  of  War,  five  views,     ....  88 

Where  Machinery  Is  Needed,  ....  89 

Getting  Ready  for  Work, 89 

Repairing  Rifles  and  Carbines,    ...  90 

A  Lonely  Way 91 

Gen.  Thomas  J.  Rodman, 93 


Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler,        94 

Maj.  Stanhope  E.  Blunt, 95 

Capt.  O.  B.  Mitcham, 96 

Capt.  W.  S.  Peirce 96 

Lieut.  O.  C.  Horney, 97 

The  Commandant's  Office,      ....  98 

Cornelius  J .  Brown, 99 

Assistant  Officers'  Rooms, 99 

Civil  Engineer  Gronen's  Office,  .     .     .  100 

George  Durnin, 100 

Ready  for  Fire,       . 101 

Cuban  Machetes, 102 

Gen.  Nelson  A.  Miles, 103 

Hundreds  of  Saddles, 104 

The  Arsenal  Coat  of  Arms,     ....  105 

L.  L.  Wheeler,       106 

A  Section  of  the  Canal  Ready  for  Water,  107 

Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal,      .     .     .  108 

Showing  Sluice  Gates  and  Lock  36,      .  109 

Canal  Gates,  from  Floor  of  Lock,     .     .  no 

A  Steamer  with  Tow, no 

A  Rafter  Passing  Rock  Island,     .     .     .  in 

Rock  Island — Why  so  Called,     .     .     .  112 


MOLINE. 


The  Post  Office  Building,      . 
Moline  Club  —  Interior  View, 
The  New  High  School,    .     . 


IX 

xxiii 
xxix 


Moline  Public  Hospital,  . 
Unitarian  Church,  .  .  . 
Illinois  Western  Hospital, 


xxxix 

xlv 

Ixvii 


ROCK  ISLAND. 


The  New  Government  Building,   .     . 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
Building, 

Modern  Woodmen  of  America  Build- 
ing,   

Black  Hawk's  Inn, 


Rock  Island  County  Courthouse, 
Broadway  Presbyterian  Church, 
Augustana  College,     .... 

Armory  Hall, 

Lincoln  School  Building,      .     . 


xxi 

xxvii 

xxxvii 

xliii 

xlix 


DAVENPORT. 


Government  Building, 

Turner  Hall 

Davenport  Public  Library, 
Fejervary  Home  for  Men, 
New  City  Hall 


v 

xi 

xix 

xxv 

XXXV 


Scott  County  Courthouse,     ....  xli 

Davenport  Water  Company's  Works,  xlvii 

The  Cook  Home  for  Women,  .     .     .  liii 

Masonic  Temple, lix 

Saengerfest  Hall,     .     .  _ Ixv 


xxxn 


FACSIMILE  OF  AUTHORITY  FOR  THE  ILLUSTRATIONS  IN  THIS  WORK. 


ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL 

ROCK  ISLAND 

May  6th  1898. 
Dear  Mr.Tillinghast :- 

Under  instructions  from 

the  Chief  of  Ordnance,p emission  is  hereby  ac- 
corded you  to  take  views  of  buildings, grounds, 
or  shops  (exterior  and  interior)  at  this  Arsen- 
al. 

Respectfully   /^   "X 


Capt .Ord.Dept.U.S.A. 
Commanding. 


Mr.B.F.Tillinghast, 

Davenport , Iowa. 


the  views  not  otherwise  credited  are  reproductions  of  photographs  specially  taken  for  "  T^pck  Island 
Arsenal:  in  Teace  and  in  War,"  by  CMr.  J.  E.  CALKINS,  under  the  most  favorable  conditions. 


Copyright,  1898, 

BV    B.  F.  TlLLINGHAST. 

All  rights  reserved. 


ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL: 

IN  PEACE  AND  IN  WAR. 


WITH  MAPS  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


(Extract  from  an  official  letter  from  Brigadier-General  S.  V.  Benet,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  to 
Hon.  George  W.  McCrary,  Secretary  of  War,  March  30,  1877. ) 

"THIS  ARSENAL  WILL  BE  THE  GRAND  ORDNANCE  MANUFACTURING  ESTAB- 
LISHMENT IN  THE  MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY,  ERECTED  AT  GREAT  EXPENSE 
TO  THE  UNITED  STATES,  AND  WITH  A  LARGER  CAPACITY, 
WHEN  COMPLETED,   THAN  ANY  OTHER  ARSENAL 
WITHIN  OUR    BORDERS." 


BY  B.  F.  TILLINGHAST, 

AUTHOR  OF  "THREE  CITIES  AND  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL.' 


"The  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  is,  upon  the  whole,  the  most  magnificent  dwelling-place 
prepared  by  God  for  man's  abode." — De  Tocqueville's  Democracy  in  America. 


CHICAGO: 

THE  HENRY  O.  SHEPARD  COMPANY,  PRINTERS. 
1898. 


THREE  ARSENAL  CITIES. 


The  center  of  population  has  moved  westward  (in  ten  years)  about  forty-eight  miles  and 
northward  about  nine  miles.  It  now  rests  in  southern  Indiana,  about  twenty  miles  east  of 
Columbus. 

The  center  of  the  area  of  the  United  States,  excluding  Alaska  (and  the  new  possessions 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean),  is  in  northern  Kansas,  in  approximate  latitude  39°  55'  and  approximate 
longitude  98°  50'. — Federal  Census,  1890. 

[The  movement  of  the  center  of  population  has  been  westward  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  a 
year  since  1790.] 


THE  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  —  the  most  fertile  section  of  equal  area  in  the 
world  —  has  its  center  of  industrial  activity  in  the  three  cities  which  overlook 
the  Island  of  Rock  Island.     This  Island  is  one  of  the  largest,  and  by  far  the  most 
beautiful,  in  the  Father  of  Waters. 

Together  these  cities  have  a  population  of 
some  eighty  thousand,  about  equally  divided  by 
the  great  river.  This  busy  community  may 
have  a  special  local  interest  in  the  Island  and  in 
Rock  Island  Arsenal,  but  this  vast  plant  has 
been  built  and  is  maintained  by  the  people  of 
the  United  States  for  national  uses.  Strictly 
speaking,  the  Arsenal  is  in  no  sense  more  local 
than  the  Capitol  at  Washington,  a  transconti- 
nental line  of  railway  or  the  long  and  deep 
artery  of  trade  which  floats  an  immense  com- 
merce from  St.  Paul  to  New  Orleans. 

It  is  not  in  the  least  material  or  significant 
in  what  order  these  closely  linked  cities  —  a 
trinity  in  unity  —  are  named.  Moline,  Rock 

Island  and  Davenport,  Rock  Island,  Davenport  and  Moline,  and  Davenport,  Moline 
and  Rock  Island  all  convey  the  underlying  fact  of  a  common  and  inseparable  interest. 
The  Island  is  the  park  and  the  pride  of  each,  and  it  is  the  unwritten  law  that  no  one 
city  has  an  advantage  over  the  other  in  this  respect.  There  are  many  other  interests 
which  bind  them  together  and  promote  the  common  good.  Some  of  these  may  be 
mentioned. 


PIER   OF  THE   FIRST   BRIDGE. 


NO.  1.      FIRST   RAILROAD   BRIDGE  ACROSS  THE  MISSISSIPPI   RIVER.      FROM  THE   LOWER    END   OF   ROCK   ISLAND  TO 

DAVENPORT.     FIRST  TRAIN  CROSSED  APRIL  21,  1856. 
Sketched  by  Henry  Lambach  from  plans  destroyed  by  the  Chicago  Fire. 


BRIDGES. 

The  Government  owns  and  controls  all  bridges  reaching  the  Island,  and  they 
are  ample  for  any  possible  needs.  A  moss-covered  stone  pier,  a  third  of  a  mile 
above  the  present  main  structure  spanning  the  river,  shows  the  location  of  the  first 


NO.  2.      FIRST   BRIDGE  ACROSS   THE   MISSISSIPPI   AS   REBUILT   AFTER    DAMAGE   BY   FIRE,  ICE  AND   COLLISION. 

6 


bridge  across  the  Mississippi  from  its  mouth  to  its  source.  It  was  built  by  the 
Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railway  Company.  It  was  a  single-deck,  Howe- 
truss,  six-span  bridge.  The  first  train,  consisting  of  locomotive  and  eight  cars, 
passed  over  it  April  21,  1856.  On  the  6th  of  May,  that  year,  the  first  span  east  of 
the  draw,  250  feet  in  length,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  communicated  by  the  steamboat 
Effie  Afton,  which  collided  with  and  burned  at  one  of  the  piers.  In  March,  1868, 
with  the  opening  of  the  river,  the  first  pier  from  the  Iowa  shore  was,  by  the  heavy 
floating  ice,  pushed  bodily  downstream  some  twenty-five  feet.  The  ensuing  month, 
during  a  severe  windstorm,  the  draw  span  was  lifted  from  its  masonry  and  blown 


LOOKING  TOWARD   DAVENPORT   FROM   ISLAND   CLOCK  TOWER. 

over  on  its  side  up-river,  so  that  it  hung  supported  only  by  the  draw  pier,  with  both 
ends  free  in  midair. 

The  second  bridge  was  completed  in  October,  1872,  and  turned  over  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  Arsenal  in  February,  1873.  It  was  built  jointly  by  the 
Government  and  the  railroad  company.  Its  total  length  was  1,550  feet,  divided 
into  five  spans  and  one  draw.  Its  cost  was  not  far  from  $1,000,000. 

This  structure  served  until  the  present  bridge,  constructed  during  the  winter  of 
1894  and  1895,  succeeded  it  on  the  old  piers.  It  is  a  double-decked  superstructure, 
with  double  railroad  track  above  and  double  street-car  track  and  wagon  road  below. 
The  trusses  of  this  thoroughly  modern  bridge  are  calculated  to  carry  a  total  moving 
load  of  11,360  pounds  per  lineal  foot,  of  which  8,000  pounds  are  on  the  railway 


1.      GOVERNMENT   BRIDGE  ACROSS   THE   MISSISSIPPI    RIVER. 

2.     THE  UPPER    DECK.  3.      SWINGING   FOR   A   STEAMBOAT. 

4.     THE   LOWER   DECK.  5.      THE   DRAW    PIER. 


floor  and  3,360  pounds  on  the  roadway  floor.  The  solid  corrugated  steel  railway 
floor,  together  with  the  guard  angles  and  rail  plates,  weigh  about  940  pounds  per 
lineal  foot  of  the  bridge.  The  draw  span,  which  weighs,  approximately,  2,500,000 


THE   MOLINE   BRIDGE. 


pounds,  is  one  of  the  heaviest  ever  built.  The  chain  motion  for  moving  this  span 
is  one  of  the  departures  from  the  usual  methods  of  bridge  building.  Beginning  at 
the  north  end,  the  first  span  is  260  feet  long  ;  the  second,  third  and  fourth  are  each 
220  feet  long  ;  the  fifth  is  260  feet,  and  the  total  length  of  the  draw  is  368  feet. 
The  open  space  on  either  side  of  the  draw  pier  is  162  feet.  The  approach  span  on 
the  Davenport  side  is  200  feet  in  length  and  on  the  Island  end  practically  one-half 
this  length.  Ralph  Modjeska,  son  of  the  noted  actress,  was  chief  engineer  of  the 
new  bridge,  and  the  Phoenix  Bridge  Company  was 
the  builder  of  both  structures  at  the  present  site. 
At  the  southwest  limit  of  the  Island  there  is 
a  wagon  bridge,  the  way  being  twenty-two  feet  in 
the  clear,  in  the  form  of  a  viaduct  under  which 
trains  pass.  There  are  foot  walks  outside  the 
chords,  each  six  feet  wide.  At  its  eastern  or 
upper  end  a  bridge  is  also  thrown  across  the  south 
branch,  known  as  Sylvan  Water,  connecting  the 
Island  with  the  city  of  Moline.  The  length  of  this 
bridge  is  711  feet.  It  has  five  equal  spans  of  142 


feet. 


THE   LION'S   HEAD. 

Gargoyle  on  Bridge  over  Island  Lake. 


CITY   OF  ROCK   ISLAND   AS   SEEN    FROM   THE   ARSENAL  CLOCK  TOWER. 


BRIDGE  AND  RIVER  TRAFFIC. 

The  river  is  always  unobstructed,  except  by  ice,  but  the  Government  requires 
that  a  record  be  kept  of  the  traffic  through  the  draw,  how  many  times  it  is  opened, 
and  the  stage  of  the  water  every  day  in  the  year.  Valuable  information  is  thereby 
gathered.  The  following  table  tells  much  but  by  no  means  all  of  the  business  on 
and  through  the  principal  bridge.  It  takes  no  account,  for  instance,  of  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  street-car  passengers.  It  does  not  give  the  freight  tonnage.  Dur- 
ing 1897  the  number  of  tons  of  freight  hauled  across  the  bridge  by  railroad  was 
2,069,602,  as  compared  with  164,653  forty  years  earlier.  This  indicates  the  mar- 
velous development  that  is  going  on. 

Following  is  an  epitome  oi  the  bridge  traffic  for  the  twelve  months  ended 
June  30,  1898  : 


Engines  with  trains,  north, 
Engines  with  trains,  south, 
Engines,  north, 
Engines,  south, 
Passenger  cars,  north, 
Passenger  cars,  south, 


9,083 

9,582 

1,206 

896 

17,048 

16,949 


Freight  cars,  north, i3°,993 

Freight  cars,  south 132,514 

Street  cars,  north, 45,326 

Street  cars,  south, 45,568 

Teams,  north, 256,494 


Teams,  south, 254,839 

Pedestrians,  north, 336,324 

Pedestrians,  south, 335,143 

Steamboats,  up  river,  .....       1,656 


Steamboats,  down  river,    . 
Barges,  up  river,      .... 
Barges,  down  river, 
Rafts,  down  river,    .... 
Strings  of  logs,  down  river,    . 
Strings  of  lumber,  down  river, 


1,653 
419 

413 

474 

4,441 

639 


A  railroad  and  terminal  bridge,  not  connected  with  the  Island,  but  joining  the 
three  cities,  is  now  nearing  completion,  at  a  cost  of  more  than  a  million  dollars, 
including  the  approaches. 

RIVER,    RAPIDS  AND   CANAL. 

The  Mississippi  River  is  the  country's  free  waterway  for  nearly  two  thousand 
miles  —  exactly  speaking,  1,982.  At  low  water  the  river  at  Rock  Island  is  534  feet 
above  sea-level.  The  section  of  river  known  as  Rock  Island  Rapids  extends  from 
the  lower  end  of  the  Island  nearly  fourteen  miles  up  the  river,  the  fall  in  this  distance 
being  twenty-one  feet.  From  the  head  of  the  wing  dam  to  the  west  end  of  the 
Island  the  distance  is  3.20  miles.  The  fall  of  the  rapids  here  is  6.65  feet  at  high 
water  and  7.55  feet  at  low  water.  The  improvement  of  the  river  channel  through 
the  rapids  has  engaged  the  Government's  best  engineering  talent  for  many  years. 
Surveys  of  Rock  Island  Rapids  were  made  by  Lieut.  N.  B.  Buford  in  1829,  by 
H.  M.  Shreve  in  1836,  by  Lieuts.  Robert  E.  Lee  and  M.  C.  Meigs  in  1837,  Lieutenant 
Warren  in  1853  and  by  others  at  later  dates.  Public  attention  has  been  repeatedly 
called  to  the  great  water-power  advantages,  now  partially  utilized. 

Four  miles  south  of  the  Island  is  the  western  terminus  of  the  Illinois  and 
Mississippi  Canal,  one  of  the  most  important  internal  improvements  the  country  has 
ever  undertaken.  Its  relation  to  the  Government's  Arsenal  as  an  added  means  of 
transportation  is  recognized.  The  subject  is  deserving  of  the  more  detailed  attention 
it  receives  elsewhere  in  this  book. 


OVERLOOKING   THE   ISLAND   FROM   MOLINE   BLUFFS. 
II 


RAILROADS. 

Several  trunk  lines  of  railroads  and  their  connections  are  always  ready  to 
distribute  the  fabrications  of  the  Arsenal  expeditiously  to  any  seaport  or  city  in  the 
United  States.  The  transportation  facilities  are  unlimited.  Some  of  the  railroads 
centering  at  the  Arsenal  are  :  The  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  ;  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  ;  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  ;  the  Burlington,  Cedar 
Rapids  &  Northern  ;  the  Rock  Island  &  Peoria. 

STREET  CARS  AND  TELEPHONES. 

The  Tri-City  Railway  Company  furnishes  constant  communication  between  the 
three  cities  by  its  excellent  and  extensive  system  of  electric  lines.  There  are  forty- 
two  miles  of  track,  seventy-five  motor  and  fifty  other  cars.  The  roadbed,  equip- 


THE   LOWER    END   OF   ROCK   ISLAND. 


ment,  power  house,  barns,  etc.,  represent  a  cost  of  $2,100,000.  The  passenger 
capacity  of  the  system  is  unknown,  but  the  highest  number  thus  far  carried  in  one 
day  is  65,000.  From  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other  the  distance  is  eight  miles. 
Nearly  all  railway  stations,  boat  landings,  public  parks,  Black  Hawk's  tower  and 
other  places  of  interest  are  on  or  near  the  street-car  lines. 

Another  means  of  communication  between  the  two  sides  of  the  river  is  the 
Rock  Island  and  Davenport  Ferry. 

One  of  the  first  telephone  exchanges  in  the  West  was  introduced  here,  and  it 
is  now  one  of  the  largest  in  proportion  to  population.  The  number  of  telephones 
in  use  is  1,450  in  the  three  cities.  There  is  no  toll  charged,  the  exchange,  like  the 
street-car  system  arid  the  banks,  doing  an  uninterrupted  business,  as  if  State  and 
municipal  boundaries  did  not  exist. 

12 


THE   PRESS. 

There  are  ten  daily  papers  in  the  three  cities,  all  working  in  accord  for  the 
general  good.  In  fact,  their  editors,  publishers  and  reporters  have  an  organization 
which  meets  at  regular  intervals  to  consider  and  promote  the  interests  of  the  com- 
munity. These  journals,  in  the 
order  of  their  establishment  in 
each  city,  are  :  The  Evening 
Democrat,  Der  Demokrat 
(morning),  Evening  Times, 
Evening  Leader  and  Republican 
(morning),  in  Davenport ;  the 
Evening  Argus  and  the  Union 
(morning),  Rock  Island  ;  the 
Evening  Dispatch,  Evening  Re- 
bublican-Journal  and  Evening 
Mail,  Moline.  There  are  sev- 
eral semi-weekly,  weekly  and 
monthly  publications. 


FORT   ARMSTRONG   AVENUE. 


A  FINANCIAL  CENTER. 

The  three  Arsenal  cities  together  form  a  financial  Gibraltar,  with  ample  capital 
for  all  legitimate  transactions.  This  is  a  statement  of  fact,  not  of  mere  opinion, 
and  is  warranted  by  the  latest  sworn  statements  of  the  several  institutions.  The 
eight  national  banks  in  the  three  cities  make  this  showing  : 


DAVENPORT.  CAPITAL. 

Citizens  National, $300,000 

First  National, 200,000 

Davenport  National, 175,000 

Iowa  National, 100,000 

ROCK  ISLAND. 

Rock  Island  National, 100,000 

People's  National, 100,000 

MOLINE. 

First  National, 150,000 

Moline  National, 100,000 


Total, 


$r,  225,  ooo 


SURPLUS  AND 
PROFITS. 

$119,000 
7O,OOO 
32,000 
18,000 


82,303 
68,073 


37,892 
23,521 

1450,789 


To  these  totals  should  be  added  the  capital  and  surplus  of  the  private  bank  of 
Mitchell  &  Lynde,  which  does  a  business  larger  than  the  average  of  the  eight 
national  banks. 


No  business  center  of  equal  population  in  the  entire  Northwest  is  able  to  make 
so  eloquent  an  exhibit  in  the  way  of  its  savings  bank  deposits,  a  certain  index  of 
the  thrift  of  the  people  and  of  their  industry.  These  are  as  follows  : 


DAVENPORT.  CAPITAL 

German  Savings, $500,000 

Davenport  Savings, 250,000 

Scott  County  Savings,      ....  250,000 

Union  Savings, 60,000 

Farmers  and  Mechanics  Savings,    .  100,000 

ROCK  ISLAND. 

Rock  Island  Savings,       ....  100,000 

MOLINE. 

Moline  Savings, 100,000 

People's  Savings, 100,000 


DEPOSITS. 

14,430,000 

2,063,170 

2,023,000 

333,000 

359,000 

1,019,238 


523,000 
311,481 


Total, 


$1,460,000          $11,061,? 


THE   ARSENAL   MASCOT. 


Here  is  a  banking  capital  of  $2,785,000  and  surplus 
and  profits  amounting  to  $923,392  for  the  seventeen  insti- 
tutions—  national,  private  and  savings  banks.  They  hold 
individual  deposits  aggregating,  at  the  time  of  their  latest 
statements,  $14,987,450. 

THE  ILLINOIS  SIDE. 


The  boundary  line  separating  Illinois  from  Iowa,  midriver,  places  the  Island  in 
Illinois.  On  that  side  are  the  industrial  cities  of  Rock  Island  and  Moline,  covering 
more  than  five  miles  of  water  frontage.  The  municipal  limits  of  Moline  on  the  east 
extend  beyond  the  head  of  the  Island,  and  those  of  the  city  of  Rock  Island  far 
below  or  to  the  west  and  south.  The  bluffs  approach  within  half  a  mile  of  the  river 
in  Upper  Moline  and  recede  from  it  as  they  follow  the  Mississippi  to  the  lower  end 
of  Rock  Island.  The  heights  all  the  way  are  crowned  with  homes  of  comfort. 
Desirable  residence  sites  are  occupied  below  the  bluffs,  the  fall  being  gradual  to  the 
bank.  The  business  sections  and  railroads  are  generally  near  the  river.  In  all  that 
goes  to  make  cities  inviting  —  schools,  churches,  libraries,  waterworks,  public  build- 
ings, hospitals,  good  streets,  well-to-do  people,  factories,  jobbing  houses,  stores, 
parks  —  Rock  Island  and  Moline  are  favored.  Their  manufactures  are  known 
throughout  the  world.  The  United  States  engineer's  office  has  for  years  been 
located  in  Rock  Island.  It  has  charge  of  the  Mississippi  River  improvements  from 
St.  Paul  to  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River. 


THE  IOWA  SIDE. 

Opposite  the  eastern  point  of  the  Island,  on  the  Iowa  side,  the  rather  sharp 
bluffs  run  out  to  the  river.  Here  begins  a  narrow  plateau,  which  gradually  widens 
as  one  looks  toward  the  west  for  four  miles,  when  it  approaches  the  bend  made 


by  the  river  in  turning  south.  The  bluffs  have  a  wavy  or  broken  appearance,  afford- 
ing many  choice  views  or  lookouts.  At  the  east,  facing  the  Island,  and  almost 
opposite  the  immense  shops,  the  city  of  Davenport  has  graded  a  projecting  height 
and  named  it  Prospect  Park.  Some  three  miles  farther  down  is  another  small 
public  park,  from  which  a  magnificent  view,  both  up  and  down  the  valley,  is  obtained. 
Between  the  line  of  hills  and  the  river  the  triangular-shaped  plateau,  gently  sloping 
to  the  south,  is  ample  for  the  accommodation  of  150,000  people.  The  drainage 
is  naturally  good,  street  rising  above  street  on  the  sides  of  the  bluffs,  like  terraces. 
Back  of  the  heights  rich  rolling  prairie  extends  to  the  north,  east  and  west. 


MAIN  ENTRANCE  TO  ARSENAL. 


Davenport  may  pardonably  boast  of  its  educational  institutions,  both  public 
and  private,  of  its  many  charitable  institutions,  its  schools  and  churches,  its  library, 
Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  of  its  unsurpassed  filtered- water  system,  its  parks, 
wholesale  and  retail  houses,  cathedrals  (being  the  See  city  of  the  Episcopal  and 
Roman  Catholic  churches),  factories  of  numerous  kinds, —  in  brief,  of  its  thrift 
and  substantial  progress. 

But  the  purpose  of  "  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  :  IN  PEACE  AND  IN  WAR"  is 
told  on  its  title-page.  It  does  not  pretend  to  more  than  glance  at  the  environment 
of  the  Island.  The  three  cities  of  themselves  furnish  subject-matter  for  a  volume. 

15 


THE  ISLAND  OF  THE  INDIANS. 


This  was  the  best  Island  on  the  Mississippi  and  had  long  been  the  resort  of  our  young 
people  during  the  summer.  It  was  our  garden  (like  the  white  people  have  near  their  big 
villages),  which  supplied  us  with  strawberries,  blackberries,  plums,  apples,  and  nuts  of  various 
kinds  ;  and  its  waters  supplied  us  with  pure  fish,  being  situated  in  the  rapids  of  the  river.  In 
my  early  life  I  spent  many  happy  days  on  this  Island.  A  good  spirit  had  care  of  it,  who  lived 
in  a  cave  in  the  rocks  immediately  under  the  place  where  the  fort  (Armstrong)  now  stands,  and 
has  often  been  seen  by  our  people.  He  was  white,  with  large  wings  like  a  swan's,  but  ten 
times  larger.  We  were  particular  not  to  make  much  noise  in  that  part  of  the  Island  which  he 
inhabited,  for  fear  of  disturbing  him.  But  the  noise  of  the  fort  has  since  driven  him  away,  and 
no  doubt  a  bad  spirit  has  taken  his  place. —  Black  Hawk,  through  his  interpreter,  Antoine 
Le  Claire, 

THE  Island  is  a  fascinating  subject  for  the  historian,  but  the  past  is  so  crowded 
by  matters  of  present  moment  that  little  more  than  the  order  of  events  can  be 
given  for  almost  one  hundred  and  fifty  years. 

According  to  Francis  Parkman  in  his  ' '  Dis- 
covery of  the  Great  West,"  Louis  Joliet  and 
Jacques  Marquette  first  saw  the  Island  in  the 
summer  of  1673. 

Ninety-four  years  later  Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia- 
kiak,  or  Black  Hawk,  the  Sac  chief,  was  born  on 
Rock  River,  a  few  miles  south  of  the  Island.  He 
died  in  1838,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years. 

By  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain  in  1783  the 
United  States  was  placed  in  possession  of  the  east 
bank  of  the  Mississippi  River. 

The  United  States  gained  its  right  to  the 
Island  of  Rock  Island  through  the  Harrison 
treaty  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes 
of  Indians,  made  at  St.  Louis  in  November,  1804. 

The  Island  was  not  definitely  occupied  by 
white  men,  and  appears  to  have  had  no  history, 

BLACK   HAWK,  . 

Or  Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak.  until   the   breaking  out   of  the  war  with    Great 

Britain  in   1812.     The  first  incident  of  that  war 

which  came  home  to  the  Island  was  Governor  Clark's  expedition  to  Prairie  du  Chien. 
It  was  attacked  by  the  Indians  and  nearly  destroyed.  Campbell's  Island,  five  miles 
above,  was  the  scene  of  a  conflict  in  which  thirty-six  soldiers  were  killed. 


16 


BLACK   HAWK'S   LANDMARK. 


December  24,  1814,  the  treaty  of  Ghent  was  con- 
cluded. September  13  and  14,  1815,  treaties  of  peace 
were  made  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes. 

It  was  in  the  year  and  month  last  named  that  Col. 
R.  C.  Nichols,  commanding  the  8th  United  States  Infan- 
try, was  sent  up  the  Mississippi  from  St.  Louis  to  estab- 
lish a  fort  at  or  near  Rock  Island.  The  objects  were  to  occupy  the  country,  protect 
coming  settlers,  control  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  and  guard  travel  and  trade  by  river. 
At  that  time  the  army  was  supplied  with  provisions  by  contractors  directly,  and 
not  through  a  commissary  department  as  has  since  been  the  rule.  George  Daven- 
port, after  whom  the  city  of  Davenport  was  named,  accompanied  the  expedition  as 
contractor' s  agent,  and  transported  his  supplies  in  light  keel-boats.  The  expedition 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines  River,  about  140  miles  below  the  Island,  and 

wintered  there  on  account  of  the  ice.  In  the  fol- 
lowing April,  1816,  Gen.  Thomas  A.  Smith  arrived 
at  the  cantonment  with  his  rifle  regiment,  took 
command,  and  proceeded  up  the  river.  He  arrived 
at  the  Island  early  in  May,  and  fixed  upon  the  foot 
or  west  end  as  the  site  of  a  fort  which  was  to  be 
built.  The  troops  were  first  landed  on  the  Island 
May  10,  1816.  They  went  into  camp  at  once  and 
began  cutting  timber  for  storehouses.  At  that  time 
the  west  end  of  the  Island,  which  is  now  bare, 
except  for  trees  that  have  been  set  out  along  the 
drives,  was  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of  oak, 
black  walnut,  elm  and  basswood.  General  Smith 
remained  at  the  Island  only  long  enough  to  con- 
struct abatis  for  the  protection  of  the  troops  from 
the  Indians  and  then  proceeded  north  with  his  rifle 
regiment. 

The  8th  Infantry,  under  command  of  Colonel  Lawrence,  was  left  on  the  Island, 
and  under  his  direction  the  construction  of  Fort  Armstrong  was  begun,  the  name 
being  chosen  in  honor  of  the  secretary  of  war. 


BLACK  HAWK   DRIVE. 


FIRING   LYING. 


5  a  -s 


2* 


0    2 


FORT  ARMSTRONG. 


Defenses,  musters,  preparations, 
Should  be  maintain' d,  assembled  and  collected 
As  were  a  war  in  expectation. — Shakespeare. 


SEVERAL  pictorial  representations  of  this  blockhouse  defense  called  Fort  Arm- 
strong,  of  more  than  eighty  years  ago,   exist.     While   no  doubt  they  are 
generally  correct,  they  differ  materially  in  details.     Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler,  Chief  of 
Ordnance,    in   his   valuable    and    unapproached    ' '  History   of   The    Rock    Island 
Arsenal,"  with  every  opportunity  for  investigation,  says: 

The  interior  of  the  fort  was  400  feet  square.    The 
lower  half  of  the  walls  was  of  stone,  and  the  upper  half 
of  hewn  timber.     The  timber  and  stone  were  procured 
on  the  Island.     At  three  of  the  angles,  the  northeast, 
southeast  and  the  southwest,  blockhouses  were  built, 
and  these  were  provided  with  cannon.     One  side  of  the 
square  was  occupied  by  the  barracks  and  other  buildings.! 
These  were  built  of  hewn  timber,  with  roofs 
sloping  inward,  as  a  protection  against  their 
being  fired  by  the   Indians,  and  that  they 
might  not  furnish  a  safe  lodging  place  for  the 
enemy  in  an  attack.    The  fort  was  placed  on 
the  extreme  northwest  angle  of  the  Island. 
Its  northwest  corner  was  about  200  feet  from 
the  present  location  of  the  Island  end  of  the  bridge. 

Gov.  Thomas  Ford  in  his  "  History  of  Illinois"  gives  this  description  of  Fort 
Armstrong  as  he  saw  it  when  approaching  from  the  south  (or  west  as  the  river  runs) 
in  the  summer  of  1831 : 

Fort  Armstrong  was  built  upon  a  rocky  cliff  on  the  lower  point  of  an  island  near  the  center 
of  the  river,  a  little  way  above;  the  shores  on  each  side,  formed  of  gentle  slopes  of  prairie 
extending  back  to  bluffs  of  considerable  height,  made  it  one  of  the  most  picturesque  scenes  in 
the  Western  country.  The  river  here  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  clear,  swift-running  water,  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide;  its  banks  on  both  sides  were  uninhabited,  except  by  Indians,  from 
the  lower  rapids  to  the  fort,  and  the  voyager  upstream  after  several  days  of  solitary  progress 
through  a  wilderness  country  on  its  borders  came  suddenly  in  sight  of  the  whitewashed  walls 
and  towers  of  the  fort,  perched  upon  a  rock  surrounded  by  the  grandeur  and  beauty  of  nature, 
which  at  a  distance  gave  it  the  appearance  of  one  of  those  enchanted  castles  in  an  uninhabited 
desert,  so  well  described  in  the  "Arabian  Nights  Entertainments." 


THE   SUN   DIAL. 


WHERE  OLD   GLORY   ALWAYS   WAVES. 


As  the  fort  neared  completion  the   Indians  showed  a 
disposition  to  be  more  friendly,  though  the  soldiers,  num- 
bering about  six  hundred,  were  watchful  of  attacks.      "  We 
did  not  object  to   their  building  the  fort  on  the  Island," 
Black  Hawk  is  recorded  as  saying,  ' '  but  we  were  very 
sorry. ' ' 

In  reference  to  the  charmed  cave  in  the  rocks  under 
the  fort,  the  home  of  spirits,  as  Black  Hawk  imagined, 
General  Flagler  writes  : 

The  cave  was  in  the  face  of  the  limestone  bluff  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  Island.    At  high  water  the  floor  of  the 
cave  was  covered  and  boats  could  enter.     This  cave  was 
closed,  by  building  the  abutment  of  the  bridge  across  its 
entrance,  in  1870. 

Fort  Armstrong  was  finished  in  1817,  but  there 
were  no  exciting  events  until  the  outbreak  of  the 
Black  Hawk  War  in  1831.  Two  companies  of 
infantry  were  stationed  there  regularly.  It  was  in 
reality  a  frontier  post,  visited  by  boats  only  at  infre- 
quent intervals.  Judge  Spencer,  one  of  the  first  settlers  on  the  Illinois  side,  relates 
that  in  1828  mail  was  obtained  by  sending  soldiers  on  foot  to  Galena,  about  one 
hundred  miles  north.  In  this  way  the  news  of  General  Jackson's  election  as  Presi- 
dent was  brought  to  Rock  Island  garrison. 

A  stirring  chapter  of  Western  history  is  that  which  deals  with  the  Black  Hawk 
War — the  last  armed  stand  taken  by  the  Indians  to  hold  their  lands  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. This  is  not  properly  within  the  writer's  present  scope.  It  may  be  said,  however, 
that  General  Gaines,  then  at  St.  Louis,  came  to  Fort  Armstrong  at  the  head  of  the 
6th  United  States  Infantry.  The  settlers  were  all  moved  to  Rock  Island,  and  General 
Gaines  sent  for  the  stubborn  chief.  Keokuk,  too,  with  some  of  his  warriors,  attended 
the  conference.  War  could  not  be  averted,  and  in  the  hostilities  that  followed  Lieut.  - 
Col.  Zachary  Taylor  (afterward 
President),  Lieut.  Jefferson 
Davis,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and 
others  who  became  of  more  than 
national  prominence,  took  part. 
More  than  once  the  garrison 
on  the  Island  was  in  imminent 
danger  of  massacre.  The  war 
continued  until  August  2,  1831, 
when,  after  several  reverses, 
Black  Hawk's  band  was  practi- 
cally destroyed.  The  old  chief, 
his  son  Seoskuk  and  other 
chiefs  were  made  prisoners  and  GEN  WINFIELD  SCOTT-S  HEADQUARTERS,  1832. 


brought  to  the  Island,  from  which  they  were  later  taken  to  Washington.  The  Gov- 
ernment took  great  pains  to  secure  for  Black  Hawk  a  kind  reception  by  the  Indians 
upon  his  return  from  the  East.  The  accounts  of  a  meeting  between  the  vanquished 
chief,  Keokuk  and  others  on  the  Island  are  very  affecting.  Black  Hawk  afterward 
established  himself,  with  a  remnant  of  his  tribe,  on  the  Des  Moines  River  in  Iowa, 
where  he  died  in  1838. 

Among  the  noted  men  who  came  to  Fort  Armstrong  was  Gen.  Winfield  Scott, 
and  the  occasion  of  his  visit  is  deserving  of  notice.  The  hero  of  the  Mexican  War 
of  sixteen  years  later  was  then  forty-six.  He  was  sent  from  the  East  with  troops  to 
direct  the  campaign  against  the  Indians.  He  journeyed  by  way  of  the  great  lakes, 
Prairie  du  Chien  and  down  the  Mississippi,  reaching  Fort  Armstrong  in  August, 
1832.  A  virulent  type  of  Asiatic  cholera  had  broken  out  among  the  troops  while  on 
transports  on  the  lakes,  and  it  was  brought  with  them  to  the  Island.  The  cholera 
raged  in  its  worst  form  in  the  large  camp  of  jaded  troops  collected  on  the  Island 
after  the  campaign,  and  was  only  broken  up  by  distributing  the  troops  in  small  camps 
on  the  bluffs  along  the  west  bank  of  the  river.  Several  medical  officers  died,  and 
General  Scott,  in  a  letter  written  not  long  after,  ascribed  the  saving  of  the  army  from 
the  scourge  to  the  efforts  of  his  chief  medical  officer,  Surgeon  C.  A.  Finley,  after- 
ward Surgeon-General  during  the  Civil  War. 


NEAR  THE  CANNON'S   MOUTH. 


21 


THE  ISLAND  FROM  1832  TO   1862. 


There 's  but  the  twinkling  of  a  star 

Between  a  man  of  peace  and  war. — Butler  in  Hudibras. 


AT  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  Fort  Armstrong  had  well  served  its  object — 
a  frontier  defense.     An  end  had  come  to  Indian  outbreaks  and  depredations, 
and  the  pioneers  were  free  to  claim  the  attractive  country.     The  garrison  was,  how- 
ever, maintained  till  May  4,  1 836,  when  the  fort  was  evacuated  and  the  troops  sent 

to  Fort  Snelling.  Lieut. -Col.  William  Daven- 
port, of  the  ist  Infantry,  was  in  command  at 
the  time  of  the  evacuation,  and  he  left  Lieut. 
John  Beach  in  charge,  with  a  few  men,  to  take 
care  of  the  property.  But  Fort  Armstrong 
was  never  regarrisoned,  and  in  November, 
1836,  the  property  that  had  been  left  was 
taken  away. 

General  Street,  Indian  agent,  had  charge 
of  the  Island  until  1838,  when  Col.  George 
Davenport  was  appointed  agent,  and  remained 
in  charge  till  1840.  Colonel  Davenport  was 
the  first  white  settler  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Island,  his  home  for  so  many  years.  He  was 
identified  with  it  from  1815  to  July  4,  1845, 
when  he  was  murdered  in  his  own  home  by 
an  organized  band  of  robbers  and  horse  thieves. 
The  murderers  escaped  unrecognized,  but  were 
afterward  arrested,  and  three  of  them — Aaron 
Long,  John  Long  and  Granville  Young — were 
executed  on  the'igth  of  the  succeeding  October. 

Colonel  Davenport  was  an  Englishman,  born  in  Lincolnshire  in  1783.  After 
many  hard  experiences  at  sea  he  reached  New  Orleans  in  1806.  During  his  Island 
years  he  became  famous  as  a  trader,  winning  the  confidence  of  the  Indians.  His 
house,  on  the  northern  bank  of  the  Island,  now  falling  into  decay,  is  shown  in  the 
illustrations. 


GEORGE   DAVENPORT. 

The  First  White  Settler  on  the  Island, 
May,  1816. 

From  "  Davenport  Past  and  Present,"  by  Franc  B.  Wilk 


In  1840  some  of  the  buildings  at  Fort  Armstrong  were  repaired,  and  an  ord- 
nance depot  was  established  at  the  fort.  Capt.  W.  R.  Shoemaker  was  placed  in 
charge  of  the  depot  and  of  the  Island,  and  remained  until  1845,  when  the  stores 
were  moved  to  St.  Louis  Arsenal. 

From  the  year  last  named  until  the  act  for  establishing  Rock  Island  Arsenal  was 
passed,  in  1862,  the  Island  was  in  charge  of  a  civil  agent,  or  custodian,  employed  by 
the  War  Department,  and  it  has  remained  under  the  control  of  that  department  to 
this  time. 

Thomas  L.  Drum  was  custodian  from  1845  to  1853;  J.  B.  Danforth,  from  1854 
to  1857;  H.  Y.  Slaymaker,  from  1857  to  1863.  The  history  of  these  eighteen  years 
' '  is  full  of  persistent  and  protracted  efforts  on  the  part  of  squatters,  manufacturing, 
railroad,  water-power  companies  and  others  to  procure,  by  preemption,  lease,  pur- 
chase or  cession,  a  title  to  the  lands  on  the  Island. "  So  it  appears  that  the  Island 
has  been  as  great  a  prize  in  the  eyes  of  the  bargain-driving  business  men  of  recent 
times  as  it  was  in  the  consideration  of  Black  Hawk  and  his  band,  who  regarded  it  as 
their  dearest  possession. 


COL.  GEORGE  DAVENPORT'S   HOUSE. 


i.    As  it  was  in  1860. 


2.    As  it  is  in 


1.  A   STATELY   ELM. 

2.  A   NATURAL    GRAPE   ARBOR. 

3.  WOODS    EAST   OF   SHOPS. 

4.  IN  THE  JUNGLE. 

5.  THE    LINDEN   TREE. 


ADVANTAGES  OF  LOCATION. 


After  a  careful  study  of  this  question  of  location,  there  is  no  position  which,  to  my  mind, 
affords  so  many  advantages,  and,  at  the  same  time,  presents  so  few  objections,  as  Rock  Island, 
in  the  Mississippi  River. 

In  a  military  point  of  view  it  is  perfectly  secure  from  an  enemy  advancing  either  by  the 
lakes  or  the  river.  From  it  supplies  can  be  transported  in  any  direction  and  at  any  season  of 
the  year.  It  is  in  the  midst  of  a  country  teeming  with  coal  and  wood,  and  especially  adapted  to 
agriculture.  The  site  is  elevated  far  above  river  floods,  the  climate  and  situation  are  healthy; 
and  while  the  Island  is  sufficiently  isolated  to  secure  it  from  sudden  attacks,  it  is  near  enough  to 
the  cities  of  Rock  Island,  Davenport  and  Moline  to  afford  ample  accommodations  for  all  the 
necessary  employes. —  General  Ramsay,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  1864. 

r  I  ^  HE  chain  of  circumstances  and  events  leading  up  to  the  great  Arsenal  of  today 
J-  is  of  continuous  interest.  Link  has  been  added  to  link  as  administration  has 
been  succeeded  by  administration,  until  the  rather  rough  plans  of  more  than  eighty 
years  ago  have  developed  into  a  system  that  is  approaching  perfection.  Further  on 
it  will  be  seen  that  when  a  crisis  came  to  the  country  in 
the  spring  of  1898,  Rock  Island  Arsenal  was  prepared 
to  meet  the  sudden  and  enormous  de- 
mands made  upon  it  for  war  material  in  a 
way  that  helped  essentially  in  solving  the 
difficulties  of  the  Government.  The  day 
that  peace  was  declared,  after  114  days  of 
hostilities,  Senator  Allison,  of  Iowa,  who 
had  supported  every  appropriation  bill 
from  the  first,  remarked  that  during  the  com- 
paratively short  war  the  Arsenal  had  more  than 
repaid  the  country  for  the  "millions  it  had  cost  in  the 
extent,  variety  and  character  of  the  equipments,  THE  RESERVOIR. 

stores  and  munitions  it  had  so  promptly  furnished. 

It  was  on  the  2d  of  March,  1825,  that  the  Secretary  of  War  informed  the  Com- 
missioner of  the  General  Land  Office  that  the  Island  of  Rock  Island  was  necessary 
for  military  purposes,  and  directed  that  it  be  reserved  from  sale. 

About  the  year  1835,  by  direction  of  Congress,  two  examinations  of  various  sites 
for  a  Western  armory  were  made  by  commissions  of  army  officers.  In  September, 
1840,  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Colonel  Talcott,  directed  the  commanding  officer  at 

25 


ALONG   THE   NORTH   SHORE   OF  THE   ISLAND. 

AN    ISLAND   FARM. 

THE   DYKE  AND    PAPOOSE   ISLAND. 


4.  SOLDIERS   AS    HAYMAKERS. 

5.  THE   ROAD   ROLLER. 

6.  NO  THOUGHT   OF   WAR. 


7.      CLEANING   UP. 


A   PAPER   TARGET. 


St.  Louis  Arsenal  to  examine  the  Island  of 
Rock  Island  with  a  view  to  its  use  for  ordnance 
purposes.  The  resulting  report  made  by  Capt. 
William  Bell  shows  the  foresight  and  breadth  of 
view  of  that  officer.  This  is  evidenced  by  the 
following  extracts: 

The  whole  Island,  containing  about  850  acres, 
belongs  to  the  United  States,  having  been  specially 
reserved  from  sale.  It  lies  at  all  times  high  and  dry 
in  the  Mississippi,  on  the  side  of  the  Illinois  shore, 
from  which  it  is  separated  by  about  600  or  700  feet ; 
its  greatest  length,  lying  east  and  west,  being  about 
2.61  miles,  and  its  greatest  breadth,  lying  north  and 
south,  being  1,463  yards;  its  perimeter,  or  circumfer- 
ence, being  6^  miles. 

There  are  but  two  occupants  on  the  Island:  one 
at  the  upper  or  east  end,  who  has  no  claim  upon  the 
grounds;  the  other,  at  the  north  side,  near  the  water, 
at  the  point  marked  "Davenport"  on  the  accom- 
panying sketch,  which  is  the  name  of  a  very  respect- 
able gentleman  who  has  lived  there  for  many  years, 
and  who  has  gone  to  considerable  expense  in  orna- 
menting the  quarter  section  he  claims,  and  in  the 
erection  of  buildings  thereon. 

Captain  Bell' s  report  accurately  describes  the  Fort  Armstrong  buildings ;  recom- 
mends repairs;  speaks  in  high  terms  of  the  towns  (Rock  Island,  then  Stevenson,  and 
Davenport)  on  either  side  of  the  river;  notes  the  good  boat  landings  on  the  Island, 
and  dwells  at  length  on  the  great  available  water  power  afforded  by  the  fall  in  the 
river.  He  was  evidently  captivated  by  the  natural  charms  of  the  locality,  for  he 
writes  that  "the  productiveness,  health  and  beauty  of  the  country  surpass  anything" 
he  had  seen. 

In  September,  1841,  Congress  passed  an  act  for  a  thorough  examination  of  the 
whole  Western  country  '  'for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  suitable  site  on  the  Western 
waters  for  the  establishment  of  a  national  armory."  The  board  of  three  officers 
spent  eighteen  months  in  making  most  thorough  examinations,  its  report  covering 
400  printed  pages.  Much  space  was  devoted  to  the  Island  and  many  exact  facts 
were  given.  Some  of  the  more  salient  features  of  the  report  are  these: 

This  beautiful  and  interesting  Island  derives  its  name  from  the  circumstances  of  its  resting 
upon  a  bed  of  rocks,  consisting  of  limestone  in  horizontal  strata,  well  adapted  to  the  purposes 
of  building.  It  stands  in  the  Mississippi,  at  the  foot  of  Rock  Island  Rapids.  Its  length  is  about 
2^  miles,  and  its  greatest  breadth  four-fifths  of  a  mile.  It  contains  about  800  acres  of  excellent 
land,  still  the  property  of  the  United  States.  The  surface  of  the  Island  is  generally  waving,  and 
is  pervaded  by  a  broad  valley  passing  centrally  and  longitudinally  two-thirds  the  length  of  the 
Island.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  acres  cleared  at  the  head  of  the  Island  (the  site  formerly 
occupied  by  Fort  Armstrong,  now  used,  in  part,  by  the  United  States  as  a  depot  of  arms  for  the 
Western  country,  and  a  large  garden,  with  other  improvements,  occupied  by  George  Daven- 
port), the  Island  is  covered  with  a  dense  timber  growth.  The  Island  is  bounded,  for  the  most 
part,  by  precipitous  cliffs,  or  abrupt  and  rocky  hill-stopes,  its  surface  rising  ten  to  twenty  feet 
above  the  reach  of  the  highest  freshets. 


27 


This  report,  like  the  preceding  one  of  Captain  Bell,  may,  with  entire  modera- 
tion, be  called  enthusiastic  in  praise  of  the  natural  advantages  offered  by  the  Island 
for  arsenal  uses.  The  board  of  officers  emphasizes  the  water-power  opportunities, 
discusses  the  question  of  dams,  the  rapid  fall  in  the  river,  the  rich  surrounding 
country,  the  nearness  of  beds  of  coal,  lead  and  iron.  '  'Articles  of  subsistence  of  all 
kinds,"  the  commissioners  say,  "for  man  and  beast,  are  abundant,  and  these  are 
remarkably  cheap.  The  site  is  exceptionally  healthy,  as  evidenced  by  the  reports, 
now  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  Surgeon- General,  *  *  covering  a  period  of  more 
than  twenty  years,  during  which  the  number  upon  the  sick  list  at  Fort  Armstrong 
was  proportionately  less  than  at  any  other  post  in  the  Western  country. ' ' 

Quartermaster-General  Jesup,  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  War  in  1852,  says  : 

The  site  of  Fort  Armstrong,  Rock  Island,  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  our  Western 
country  for  an  armory.  The  whole  water  power  of  the  Mississippi  River  is  available.  If  a 
Western  armory  is  to  be  established,  I  would  advise  that  it  be  placed  there.  I  would  not 
advise  that  any  part  of  it  be  rented  or  leased. 

Hon.  A.  C.  Dodge,  Chairman  Senate  Committee  on  Public  Lands,  writing  to 
the  Secretary  of  War  in  1854,  says: 

Rock  Island,  as  you  are  well  aware,  has  long  been  regarded  by  a  large  portion  of  the 
people  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  as  an  advantageous  site  for  an  arsenal  of  construction. 

Jefferson  Davis,  while  Secretary  of  War,  in  1854,  was  the  stanch  friend  of  Rock 
Island  as  the  unequaled  location  for  the  Nation's  mid-continent  Arsenal,  and  likewise 
he  was  the  advocate  of  river  improvement.  He  had,  twenty-two  years  earlier,  from 
personal  visitation,  formed  views  which  were  never  changed.  Justice  requires  that 
credit  be  given  Mr.  Davis  for  using  the  authority  of  his  position  to  prevent  the  sale 
of  the  Island  to  settlers,  certain  influences  having  been  set  in  motion  to  secure  that 
end  while  he  held  the  portfolio  of  war. 

Gen.  C.  P.  Buckingham,  October  24,  1862,  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War, 
after  some  time  spent  in  a  study  of  the  Island  : 

The  Island  is,  without  doubt,  the  best  place  for  an 
Arsenal.  It  is  high  and  healthy,  well  supplied  with  water 
from  the  Mississippi  River,  and  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  & 
Pacific  Railroad  is  easily  accessible.  The  Island  contains 
about  900  acres  of  land,  of  which  about  200  have  been  granted 
by  Congress  to  individuals.  The  only  question  connected 
with  the  location  of  an  Arsenal  at  this  point  is,  I  conceive, 
whether  it  shall  be  at  the  upper  or  lower  end  of  the  Island. 

Without  going  further  into  the  irrefutable  argu- 
ments, it  may  be  said  that  the  full  force  of  all  these 
early  observations  has  been  far  more  than  confirmed. 
The  half  century  that  has  passed,  the  growth  in  popu- 
lation of  the  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  vast 
region  beyond,  the  coming  of  railroads  and  telegraphs, 
new  discoveries  of  minerals,  the  partial  utilization  of 
MAIN  AVENUE,  NEAR  woLiNE.  water  powers,  the  extensive  river  improvements,  all 


28 


these  accentuate  the  reasons  given  so  long  ago  for  the  location  of  the  Govern- 
ment's largest  Arsenal  here. 

Mere  mention  is  all  that  can  be  made  of  the  attempts  to  locate  on  the  Island  on 
the  part  of  individuals  and  companies,  of  their  temporary  success,  and  of  their  ulti- 
mate exclusion  through  the  purchase  of  their  holdings  obtained  through  franchises, 
the  preemption  law,  and  other  devious  and  questionable  means.  In  one  instance, 
where  a  settler  had  developed  water  power  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  Island,  he  was 
paid  $145,175  to  relinquish  his  alleged  or  real  rights. 


PLANTED  CANNON. 


THE  ISLAND  AS  A  MILITARY  PRISON. 


I  am  forbid 
To  tell  the  secrets  of  my  prison-house. — Shakespeare. 


DURING  the  war  between  the  States,  1861-65,  the  Island  was  used  for  a  pur- 
pose never  intended  by  those  who  designed  it  for  an  Arsenal.     It  became 
one  of  the  largest  military  prisons  in  the  North,  through  force  of  dire  circumstances. 
In  the  early  stages  of  the  Civil  War,  prisoners  were  captured  both  by  the  Union 

forces  and  by  the  Confederates.  These  prisoners  were 
removed  as  far  as  possible  from  the  scenes  of  hostilities. 
Rock  Island  was  owned  by  the  Government ;  it  was 
hardly  occupied  ;  it  was  secure  ;  it  offered  advantages 
X^1^^,  for  the  use  to  which  it  was  put. 

J  b  So  extensive  barracks  for  prisoners  of  war  were 

built  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1863.  The  construction 
of  the  buildings  was  in  charge  of  Capt.  C.  A.  Reynolds, 
United  States  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  they 
were  thought  to  be  ample  for  the  accommodation  of 
13,000  prisoners,  though  so  large  a  number  was  never 
quartered  there  at  one  time,  or,  as  the  records  show, 
altogether. 

A  full-page  illustration  shows  with  detail  and  accu- 
racy not  only  the  barracks,  but  all  the  buildings  on  the 
Island  at  that  time.  The  quarters  for  prisoners  were 
located  on  the  north  side,  near  the  river  front,  a  little 
more  than  a  mile  from  the  lower  or  western  end  of  the  Island.  The  prison  itself 
took  the  form  of  a  rectangle,  covering  about  twelve  acres.  The  four  sides  faced 
nearly  north,  south,  east  and  west.  The  northeast  corner  of  the  inclosure  was  oppo- 
site the  lower  point  of  Papoose  Island.  There  were  fourteen  east-and-west  rows  01 
one-story  frame  buildings,  six  in  a  row.  Each  of  the  buildings  or  barracks  was  100 
feet  in  length  by  20  in  width,  with  windows  on  the  sides  and  doors  in  the  ends. 
They  were  neither  plastered  inside  nor  painted  outside,  but  well  constructed  for  the 
protection  of  the  occupants.  In  one  end  —  usually  the  west  —  of  each  building  was 
the  kitchen.  On  either  side  of  the  long  hall  were  rows  of  double-decked  double 


COL.  A.  J.  JOHNSON.  U.  S.  V. 

Commandant  Rock  Island  Military 
Prison,  1864-65. 


Bell  Tower,  Outside  Entrance. 
Prisoners  Suffering  Punishment  Inflicted  by  Their 
Own  Courts. 


ROCK   ISLAND   MILITARY    PRISON   SCENES. 

3.  Administering  the  Oath  of  Allegiance. 

4.  View  within  the  Stockade. 

5.  Prisoners  Making  Clam-Shell  Trinkets. 


berths  or  bunks  for  sleeping.  Each  building  accommodated  120  persons.  A  main 
avenue,  fifty  feet  wide,  divided  the  seven  rows  on  the  north  from  the  same  number 
on  the  south. 

Within  these  walls  the  prisoners  were  allowed  as  much  liberty  as  possible. 
They  were  permitted  to  receive  newspapers,  magazines  and  books.  Letters  came 
to  them  every  day  from  their  Southern  friends,  though  every  piece  of  mail  was 
opened  and  inspected  and  all  remittances  of  money  were  taken  out  and  receipts 
issued  therefor,  these  receipts  enabling  the  prisoners  to  buy  such  articles  as  were  not 


ROCK  ISLAND  MILITARY  PRISON   DAYS. 

A.  C.  Dart. 
Captain  Bucher.  Maj.  Frazer  Wilson.  Capt.  J.  G.  Robinson. 


contraband.  Packages  of  clothing  and  other  goods  were  admitted  after  examina- 
tion, and  all  privileges  accorded  Union  soldiers  confined  in  the  South  were  extended 
to  these  Confederates.  The  name,  home  post  office  address,  company  and  regiment 
of  each  prisoner  was  carefully  recorded.  They  were  in  many  cases  permitted  to 
work  in  clearing  the  Island  grounds  outside  the  prison.  At  one  time  more  than 
forty  carpenters,  held  as  prisoners,  were  employed  on  other  buildings  it  was  found 
necessary  to  construct. 

Extending  around  the  prison  barracks,  some  fifty  feet  from  the  sides  and  ends  ot 
the  buildings,  was  the  stockade.     This  was  made  of  inch  boards,  twelve  feet  long, 

33 


ATTENTION,   PLEASE! 


placed  on  end.  Four  feet  from  the  top  was  a  platform  or  par- 
apet wide  enough  to  allow  the  sentinels  to  pass  on  their  beats. 
Armed  guards  were  always  on  duty.  The  "dead  line,"  a  sort 
of  trench,  paralleled  the  stockade  about  twenty-five  feet  distant 
on  the  inside.  Two  or  three  prisoners  were  shot  while  attempt- 
ing to  cross  the  ' '  dead  line. ' '  There  were  sentinel  boxes  or 
houses  every  hundred  feet  along  the  parapet.  There  were  no 
successful  plans  of  bodies  of  men  to  escape.  The  nearest 
approach  to  this  was  an  underground  tunnel  on  the  south  side 
of  the  prison.  The  tunnel  was  dug,  but  before  an  escape  was 
effected  the  opening  was  discovered.  Now  and  then  a  prisoner 
did  get  away,  but  it  was  next  to  impossible  to  leave  the  Island 
after  scaling  the  stockade  or  getting  through  the  gates. 

The  prisoners  fared  well,  their  rations  being  the  same  as 
those  of  the  Union  soldiers  who  performed  guard  and  garrison 
duty.  Some  of  them  made  money  by  their  ingenuity  and  skill 
in  converting  clam  shells  into  buttons  and  other  devices.  A 
number  of  them,  after  the  war,  were  content  to  become  residents 
of  this  locality.  But  it  cannot  be  denied  that  disease  entered 

the  prison  as  it  visiied  the  camps  of  the  Nation' s  soldiers  in  Tampa,  Chickamauga, 

Fernandina  and  elsewhere  during  the  war  with  Spain.     The  large  buildings  in  the 

center  of  the  Island,  where  the  Arsenal  shops  now  stand,  show  the  Confederate 

hospital,  and  farther  south,  on  the  Illinois  side,  were  the  pesthouses.      During  the 

existence  of  the  prison,  1,961   victims  of  disease  died  here  and  were  buried  on  the 

Island. 

Few  traces  of  prison  days  remain.     One  wing  of  the  old  post  hospital  may  be 

seen  just  east  of  the  north  row  of  shops,  and  west  of  the  same  row  are  two  or  three 

buildings  used   thirty-five  years  ago  for  officers' 

quarters.     They  were   temporary  structures,  and 

nearly  all  of  them  have  from  time  to  time  been 

removed.     The  illustration,  however,  is  practically 

all  that  is  left  to  recall  this  unpleasant  feature  of 

the  Island's  history. 

The  military  prison  was  under  the  control  of 

the  commissary-general  of  prisoners,   Brig. -Gen. 

William  Hoffman,  and  was  commanded  during  the 

first  year  after  its  construction  by  Col.  Richard  H. 

Rush,  and  after  that  by  Col.  A.  J.  Johnson,  United 

States  Volunteers.     Doctor  Watson,  of  Dubuque, 

was  the  surgeon  in  charge,  and  he  was  assisted  in 

his  duties  by  Dr.  P.  Gregg,  of  Rock  Island,  and 

many  other  physicians.     A.  C.  Dart,  now  a  whole- 
sale  merchant   in   Rock   Island,    was   post  sutler 

during  the  life  of  the  prison,   and   probably  has 


PRESS   FOR   PRINTING  TARGETS. 


34 


more  records  of  the  period  than  any  other  one  individual.  Thomas  Winkless,  ex- 
auditor  of  Scott  County,  Iowa,  was  chief  clerk  and  bookkeeper  in  the  office  of  the 
commissary  of  prisoners.  Hornby  &  McClelland  were  the  contractors  who  con- 
structed the  prison  buildings,  and  the  firm  of  French  &  Davies  furnished  the  lumber. 
The  cost  of  the  barracks,  hospitals,  guardhouses,  officers'  quarters,  etc. ,  is  estimated 
to  have  been  more  than  $125,000.  John  Wilson  Guiteau,  now  of  New  York  City, 
was  superintendent  of  construction  under  Quartermaster  C.  Q.  A.  Reynolds. 

From  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  to  this  time  the  national  authorities  have 
regarded  the  records  of  all  the  prisons  as  a  sealed  book,  but  the  seal  is  to  be  broken. 
This  is  shown  by  the  following  letter  from  the  chief  of  the  Record  and  Pension 
Office  of  the  War  Department,  under  date  of  May  31,  1898,  to  the  author  of 
' '  Rock  Island  Arsenal  :  in  Peace  and  in  War ' '  : 

The  United  States  military  prison  on  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  was  opened  about  November  n, 
1863,  and  closed  about  July  22,  1865.  During  that  period  there  were  12,286  Confederate 
prisoners  confined  therein. 

There  are  no  published  records  of  Rock  Island  military  prison,  but  the  records  of  the 
several  prisons  in  use  during  the  late  war  are  in  process  of  compilation  and  will  soon  be  pub- 
lished in  the  series  of  Records  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 

This,  from  the  Rock  Island  Argus  of  June  22,  1865,  about  the  time  the  prison 
was  closed,  fittingly  ends  this  chapter  : 

THE  ISLAND  BURYING  GROUNDS. 

Above  the  hospitals,  on  the  center  road  coming  from  Moline,  out  of  sight  from  the  Gov- 
ernment buildings,  secluded  among  the  trees,  lie  the  Confederate  and  Federal  dead  of  Rock 
Island  barracks. 

The  reconciling  grave 

Swallows  distinctions  first  that  make  us  foes, 
That  all  alike  lie  down  in  peace  together. 

Two  neat  yards,  separate  and  secure,  contain  the  remains  of  those  who  have  died  at  the 
Island  since  the  opening  of  the  barracks.  The  first  is  the  Federal  burying  ground,  where 
repose  the  remains  of  some  200  Union  soldiers,  each  grave  having  a  headboard  giving  the 
name  of  the  deceased,  his  company,  regiment  and  date  of  death.  A  little  distance  beyond  this 
graveyard,  and  also  inclosed  with  a  secure  fence,  is  the  Confederate  burying  ground,  where 
about  2,000  Confederate  prisoners  of  war  lie  buried.  Their  graves  are  in  long,  deep  trenches, 
the  bodies  being  placed  separately  in  strong  wooden  boxes  and  laid  side  by  side,  about  two 
feet  apart.  At  the  head  of  each  is  a  board  on  which  is  painted  the  number  of  the  grave  and 
the  initials  of  the  deceased.  On  the  books  of  the  post,  against  each  number,  is  found  a  com- 
plete description  of  the  deceased,  his  company,  regiment  and  State.  Each  of  these  graveyards 
is  wholly  cleared  of  trees,  stumps,  roots,  stones,  and  the  ground  neatly  sodded  over. 


BOYS  COVERING  CANTEENS. 

35 


THE  ARSENAL   GUN   YARD. 


1.  A  View  from  Main  Avenue. 

2.  The  Seven  Sisters. 

3.  A  Trophy. 


4.  Confederate  Trophies. 

5.  Iron  Posts,  Chains  and  Cannon  Balls. 


FEATURES  OF  THE  ISLAND. 


This  beautiful  and  interesting  Island. — Report  of  Board  of  Army  Officers. 

AREA  AND  CHARACTERISTICS. 

TWO  partial  descriptions  of  the  Island  have  been  given  :   one  by  Captain  Bell, 
written  in  1 840,  the  other  by  an  army  board  one  or  two  years  later,  but  both 
underestimate  the  area  and  omit  facts  now  better  known. 

The  Island  is  not  only  the  most  beautiful,  but  it  is  one  of  the  largest  throughout 
the  length  of  the  Mississippi  River.  It  is  exceptional  in  the  respect  that  a  consider- 
able part  of  it  is  above  flood  mark,  and  this  advantage  was  particularly  taken  into 
account  in  fixing  the  site  of  the  Arsenal  buildings.  From  Chicago,  the  distance  by 
rail  is  181  miles;  from  the  Missouri  River  at  Council  Bluffs,  316  miles.  By  river  it 
is  332  miles  north  of  St.  Louis  and  397  miles  south  of  St.  Paul.  The  Island  is 
about  two  and  three-fourths  miles  long, 
and  varies  in  width  from  one-fourth  to 
three-fourths  of  a  mile.  It  contains, 
above  low- water  mark,  970  acres. 
Lengthwise  the  Island  lies  nearly  east 
and  west,  and  the  course  of  the  Missis- 
sippi by  the  Island  is  generally  about 
eleven  degrees  south  of  west.  The 
highest  ground  on  the  Island  is  the  part 
where  the  great  shops  are  located,  and 
this  rises  from  17  to  23  feet  above  the 
highest  high  water ;  the  rest  of  the  high 
ground  is  generally  from  14  to  20  feet 
above  a  high  stage  of  the  river.  All  of  the  high  ground  rests  on  a  foundation  of  gray 
magnesian  limestone,  which  in  places  crops  out  on  the  surface,  but  it  is  mainly  cov- 
ered with  from  one  to  eight  feet  of  earth,  principally  loam  and  clay,  and  sometimes 
sand,  gravel  and  other  earths. 

VARIETIES  OF  TREES. 

The  surface  of  the  Island  is  waving,  yet  not  to  any  marked  extent,  and  it  is 
covered  generally,  except  the  building  sites,  the  avenues,  the  cemeteries  and  clearings 
for  special  purposes,  with  sparse  timber.  On  much  of  it  the  first  growth  has  been 


1.      ISLAND   GOLF   LINKS. 


2.     GROUP  OF  GOLFERS. 


37 


1.  An  Enchanted  Spot. 

2.  The  Bridge  from  Below. 


THE   ISLAND   LAKE. 

3.  Shadows  in  the  Water. 

4.  Another  View. 


removed,  and  replaced  by  a  second  growth.  For  the  most  part  the  Government's 
grounds  are  kept  trim  and  clean,  and  they  have  been  beautified  along  the  drives  by 
setting  out  shade  trees;  but  on  the  lower  half  of  the  south  side  of  the  Island  nature 
has  been  almost  undisturbed.  Here  the  undergrowth  is  thick,  and  some  of  the  trees 
indicate  ' '  the  forest  primeval. ' '  This  adds  to  the  attractiveness.  The  native  trees 
are  principally  oak,  elm,  ash,  basswood,  hickory  and  walnut. 


AVENUES  AND  DRIVES. 

The  avenues  east  and  west — that  is  to  say,  from  Davenport  and  Rock  Island  to 
Moline  —  are  graded,  rolled  and  drained.  They  are  always  in  perfect  condition  for 
driving.  The  two  cross-avenues  —  north  and  south  —  are  likewise  smooth.  A  car- 
riage road  follows  the  river  bank  from  the  commandant's  residence  nearly  to  the 
head  of  the  Island,  where  it  crosses  to  the  Moline  bridge  and  then  down  the  shore 
of  Sylvan  Water  almost  to  the  end.  This  drive  shows  the  miles  of  dike  or  embank- 
ment that  has  been  built  to  protect  the  lower  parts  of  the  Island  from  overflow. 
There  are  many  drives,  arched  with  interlocking  branches,  in  all  parts  of  the  Island, 

38 


which  lead  one  to  quiet  retreats.  Here  the  quail  may  be  seen  and  the  music  of  his 
whistle  often  heard.  Feathered  songsters  find  their  home  in  large  number,  and  all 
the  year  round  the  gray  squirrels  hold  carnival. 


A  PARADISE  FOR  BIRDS. 

Shooting  and  trapping  are  not  allowed  on  the  Island,  and  dogs  -ire  not  seen 
there.  It  may  be  said  that  from  General  Rodman's  time  to  the  present  all  the  com- 
mandants have  taken  pains  to  preserve  and  protect  the  birds.  The  result  is  that 
their  number  has  been  increased  and  many  varieties  that  are  strangers  to  the  sur- 
rounding country  are  to  be  seen.  More  than  eighty  varieties  have  been  counted  by 
bird-lovers,  nearly  all  of  them  song  birds.  Of  game  birds,  the  visitor  may  see  Quail, 
Pheasant,  Snipe,  Woodcock,  Plover  and  Rail  ;  the  Sap  Sucker,  Red-headed,  Yel- 
low-hammer and  other  Woodpeckers ;  Night,  Hen  and  Sparrow  Hawks;  Rock,  River 
and  Mud  Swallows  ;  also  the  Chippy,  Sparrow,  Red-Eyed  Flycatcher,  Bee  Bird, 
Humming  Bird,  House  Wren,  Linnet,  Indigo  Bird,  Bittern,  Phebe,  Red-bird,  Snow- 
bird, Bluebird,  Kingfisher,  Sand  Martin,  House  Martin,  Orchard  Oriole,  Blue  Jay, 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  Scarlet  Tanager,  Brown  Thrush,  Wood  Thrush,  Screech 
Owl,  Great  Horned  Owl,  Catbird,  Red-winged  Blackbird,  Whippoorwill,  King-bird, 
Robin,  Cuckoo,  Turtle  Dove,  Yellow-birds,  and  others.  Nearly  all  of  these  birds 
nest  and  raise  their  young  on  the  Island.  Dense  woodlands  are  sparse  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  and  the  heartless  warfare  of  the  hunter  has  nearly  exterminated  the 
birds.  It  is  fortunate  that  parts  of  the  Island  have  been  left  in  their  original  state, 
and  that  they  are  a  natural  conservatory. 


1.  THE  RODMAN  GUN. 


2.  THE  RODMAN  MONUMENT. 


39 


THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY. 

At  the  upper  end  of  the  Island,  a  few  rods  from  the  Moline  entrance,  lie  the 
remains  of  nearly  five  hundred  Union  soldiers,  most  of  whom  died  while  serving  at 
this  post.  The  grounds  are  scrupulously  cared  for,  and  on  each  recurring  3oth  of 
May,  Memorial  Day,  the  graves  are  strewn  with  wreaths  and  flowers.  It  is  the  hon- 
ored custom  for  thousands  of  the  people  of  Davenport,  Rock  Island  and  Moline  to 
gather  there  and  hold  patriotic  services. 


MEMORIAL   DAY   ON  THE   ISLAND. 

i.    The  National  Cemetery.  2.    Around  the  Speaker's  Stand. 

3.    Grand  Army  Veterans  in  Procession. 


GENERAL  FLAGLER'S  HISTORY. 

The  one  standard  and  exhaustive  ' '  History  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal ' '  is  that 
written  by  Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler.  The  early  history  is  elaborately  recounted.  It 
was  published  by  the  War  Department  in  1877,  a  work  of  nearly  500  large  pages, 
with  numerous  maps  and  plates.  The  volume  may  be  consulted  at  the  public  library 
in  each  of  the  three  cities. 

ISLAND   PRIVILEGES. 

Visitors  hardly  need  to  be  reminded  that  army  posts  are  not  public  parks,  and 
that  strict  regulations  are  framed  for  their  government.  While  the  bridges  are  free 
at  all  times,  a  permit  must  be  obtained,  except  on  special  occasions,  in  order  to  pass 

40 


the  guards  at  the  entrances  unchallenged.  Smoking,  shooting,  racing,  fast  driving 
and  interfering  with  the  workmen  are  positively  forbidden  on  the  Island.  Picnics 
and  refreshments  are  not  allowed.  Flowers,  plants  and  shrubs  must  not  be  dis- 
turbed. But  between  sunrise  and  sunset,  every  day,  there  is  no  trouble  for  either 
residents  or  visitors  to  see  the  Island,  and  it  is  not  difficult  to  obtain  permits  to  the 
shops.  The  hotels  have  passes  for  their  guests,  the  liverymen  for  their  patrons. 
Bicycle  permits  are  granted  on  application,  but  the  Island  is  not  a  highway  for 
driving  between  the  cities. 

AN  ANCIENT   BURIAL  MOUND. 

The  antiquarian  will  find  much  of  interest  on  the  Island,  an  inviting  field  of 
investigation.  The  deposit  of  shells  in  the  earth  along  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi 
has  always  attracted  attention.  Beds  of  considerable  extent  are  found  at  the  head 
of  the  Island.  The  layers  are  usually  in  horizontal  position  and  vary  from  3  to  4 
centimeters  to  i  meter  in  thickness.  A  valuable  paper  was  presented  to  the  Daven- 
port Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  February  28,  1873,  by  A.  S.  Tiffany,  from 
which  this  extract  is  taken  : 

On  the   Rock   Island  Arsenal  grounds,   near  the  western 
extremity,  there  has  been  an  excavation  about  300  feet  long  and 
80  feet  deep.     At  a  depth  of  3  feet  from  the  top  is  a  deposit  of 
shells,  mostly  Unios,   but  including  Melanthe  Sub-solida, 
and  two  or  more  species  of  Helix.    This  shell  bed,  at  this 
exposure,  varies  from  6  to   16  inches  in  thickness. 
Accurate  levelings  prove  the  deposit  to  be  18  feet 
above  the  highest  watermark  known  since  Fort  Arm- 
strong was  established  on  the  Island  (1817). 

In  the  lower  part  of  this  shell  bed  were  found  the  skull 
and  bones  belonging  to  one  individual.    The  bones  were  quite 
fragile,  and  easily  fell  to  pieces,  but  a  large  portion  of  the  skull  FORT  FLAGLER. 

was  secured.     There  are  many  fragments,  bearing  witness  that 

the  whole  skeleton  had  been  there.  Associated  with  these  human  remains  were  found  the 
point  of  an  antler  of  a  deer  or  elk,  and  what  appears  to  be  a  fragment  of  the  shin  bone  of  a 
bison  which  had  apparently  been  broken  to  extract  the  marrow. 

The  covering  was  evidently  an  aqueous  deposit,  the  sedimentary  lines  being  perfect  and 
unbroken.  Deposited  with  and  above  the  shells  are  gravel  and  sand,  the  material  becoming 
finer  toward  the  top,  the  last  foot  being  fine  alluvium  and  vegetable  mold. 

The  section  has  been  visited  by  many  members  of  the  Academy,  and  by  Prof.  Alexander 
Winchell,  while  some  of  the  bones  were  in  place,  and  all  agree  that  the  covering  of  this  pre- 
historic man  was  a  sedimentary  deposit.  It  is  believed  that  further  investigation  will  accumu- 
late many  evidences  that  man  was  contemporaneous  with  this  ancient  shell  bed. 

Prof.  W.  H.  Pratt,  in  a  paper  read  before  the  Academy  of  Sciences  August  17, 
1877,  says : 

At  the  head  of  the  Island,  where  are  found  the  most  extensive  accumulations  in  this  region, 
we  find,  at  several  places  along  the  edge  of  the  bank,  an  additional  deposit  of  shells  heaped 
up  above  the  general  shell  bed,  which  is  itself  very  heavy  at  the  same  point.  One  of  these 
heaps  is  still  over  two  meters  high  above  the  regular  continuous  bed,  its  contents  being  similar 


in  every  respect.  These  superficial  deposits  slope  off  or  thin  out  inland  rather  rapidly,  extend- 
ing back  but  a  short  distance  from  the  present  edge  of  the  bank,  and  the  face  of  the  bank  is 
vertical  here  down  a  meter  or  two  to  the  solid  limestone  rock,  being  broken  down  and  washed 
away  by  the  high  waters  of  every  season,  thus  always  presenting  a  good  vertical  section  of 
the  strata. 

*  *  *  In  this  connection  we  ought  not  to  overlook  a  bed  of  shells  formerly  existing  near 
the  foot  of  Rock  Island,  at  the  bottom  of  which  the  "shell-bed  skull"  was  found  by  Mr.  Tiffany 
in  the  fall  of  1871. 

Experience  and  examination  of  shell-bed  mounds  have  fully  convinced  me  that  this  was 
an  ancient  burial  mound. 


THE  COUNTRY'S  ARSENALS. 


The  problem  of  preparation  for  war  in  modern  times  is  both  extensive  and  complicated. 

The  creation  of  material  for  war,  under  modern  conditions,  requires  a  length  of  time 
which  does  not  permit  the  postponement  of  it  to  the  hour  of  impending  hostilities. 

It  is  not  the  most  probable  of  dangers  but  the  most  formidable  that  must  be  selected  as 
measuring  the  degree  of  military  precaution  to  be  embodied  in  the  military  precautions  to  be 
maintained. 

Material,  once  wrought  into  shape  for  war,  does  not  deteriorate  from  its  utility  to  the 
nation  because  not  used  immediately.  It  can  be  stored  and  cared  for  at  a  relatively  small 
expense,  and,  with  proper  oversight,  will  remain  just  as  good  and  just  as  ready  for  use  as  at  its 
first  production. 


CAPT.   A.   T.   MAHAN,    recognized  the  world  over  as  a  high  authority,  has 
written  impressively  on  the  necessity  of ' '  Preparedness  for  War, ' '  and  the  fore- 
going extracts  leave  no  doubt  about  his  meaning.     The  nations  of  the  earth  have 
accepted  it  as  conclusive,  and  their  armies  and 
navies  are  larger  and  stronger  than  ever  before. 
It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  United  States  from 
the  first.     It  has  built  and  maintained  arsen- 
als and  armories,  an  increasing  navy,  seacoast 
defenses,  and  the  military  and  naval  schools 
in  which  to  give  practical  and  efficient 
training  in  war.      But  it  has  done  all 
this  with  a  moderation    that  at  times 
has  not  given  the  feeling  of  security 
that   is   the  right  of  the  people.     To 
maintain  its  honor  and  integrity,  and 
on   grounds   of  broad    humanity,    our 
country  has  been  forced  into  war  when 
it  was  not  ready.     What  if  England, 

Germany,  France  or  Russia  had  been  our  foe  in  the  last  war?  No  sane  citizen 
can  doubt  that  the  cost  of  life  and  treasure  would  have  been  incalculably  greater, 
the  conflict  of  longer  duration  and  the  loss  to  some,  at  least,  of  the  'seacoast  cities 
frightful  to  contemplate. 

But  the  war  with  Spain,  which  has  won  such   brilliant   achievements  for  our 
arms,  has  only  added  new  and  weighty  reasons — invincible  arguments — for  extending 


43 


HEAVY   ORDNANCE. 

i.    Siege  Howitzer,  y-inch. 

2.  Siege  Gun,  with  Breech  Open.  4.    Siege  Gun,  Traveling  Position. 

3.  Siege  Gun,  5-inch,  Firing  Position.  5.    Field  Gun,  3.2-inch. 


LIGHT   ORDNANCE. 

i.     Field-Gun  Carriages  in  Shop. 

2.  Catling  Guns.  4.    Double-Seated  Field  Gun. 

3.  Galling  Gun.  5.    Battery  Wagon. 

the  entire  military  and  naval  establishment.  New  and  distant  territory  has  been 
acquired,  both  by  conquest  and  annexation,  and  this  must  be  fortified  and  guarded. 
Serious  questions  have  arisen  and  must  arise,  and  they  can  only  be  answered  by 
preparation.  There  is  no  escape  from  the  heavy  responsibilities  that  have  come 
uninvited  and  unexpected.  Differences  of  opinion  may  exist  on  how  best  to  solve 
the  problems,  but  there  can  be  none  on  the  urgency  of  preparation  for  defense. 

THE  FIRST  ARSENAL. 

In  the  first  war  the  Colonies  had  neither  arsenals  nor  armories,  but  in  the  very 
year  of  their  independence  the  States  began  the  manufacture  of  powder,  and  a  year 
later  (1777)  brass  cannon  were  cast  in  Philadelphia.  An  arsenal  was  established 
at  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  foundry  and  laboratory  were,  on  the  recommenda- 
tion of  Washington,  begun  at  Springfield,  Massachusetts.  This  was  the  origin  of 

45 


COMMANDANT'S   HOUSE   AND   GROUNDS. 

i.    The  Residence. 

The  Shaded  Lawn.  4.    Summer  House  on  the  River  Bank. 

The  Garden  and  Greenhouse.  5.    The  Gateway. 


the  present  National  Armory  there.  Before  1787  the  manufacture  of  small  arms  had 
begun.  The  arsenal  at  Harper's  Ferry  was  commenced  in  1795.  These  two 
arsenals  furnished  small  arms  and  supplies  during  the  War  of  1812. 

In  1838  the  Ordnance  Department  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  arsenals  and 
armories,  of  which  there  were  twenty-three  in  the  United  States  at  the  beginning  of 
the  Civil  War.  Some  of  these  were  small ;  others  were  intended  only  for  repairs, 
and  still  others  merely  as  depositories.  Wisdom  came  from  experience,  and  in  place 
of  the  limited  and  widely  scattered  arsenals,  it  was  determined  to  concentrate  the 
work  of  arming,  equipping  and  supplying  the  army.  Hence,  there  are  now  only 
five  principal  manufacturing  arsenals  in  the  United  States. 


SPRINGFIELD  ARMORY. 

This  is  located  on  the  Connecticut  River,  in  southern  central  Massachusetts. 
Since  the  abandonment  of  Harper's  Ferry  Armory,  Springfield  has  been  the  only 
manufactory  for  small  arms — rifles,  carbines  and  swords  for  the  army.  The  Spring- 
field rifle,  which  for  so  many  years  was  carried  by  the  soldiers,  takes  its  name  from 
this  place,  where  it  was  gradually  developed  to  its  present  perfection.  This  arm 
was  replaced,  four  or  five  years  ago,  by  the  United  States  magazine  rifle  and 
carbine,  and  that  gun  has  since  been  manufactured  at  Springfield  Armory.  Before 
the  war,  the  average  rate  of  production  was  slightly  over  100  guns  a  day.  This  was 
greatly  increased  by  the  addition  of  a  number  of  machines,  until  about  320  guns  are 
now  being  turned  out  daily,  or  rather  were  a  few  weeks  ago.  The  maximum  num- 
ber of  employes  at  Springfield  was  reached  in  the  month  of  July,  1898,  when  it  was 
slightly  over  1,900,  with  a  pay  roll  for  that  month  of  about  $125,000.  Further 
additions  to  the  plant  have  lately  been  made,  and  it  is  expected  that  before  the  close 
of  the  year  it  will  be  possible  to  turn  out  400  guns  each  day.  Springfield  Armory 
is  in  two  parts,  separated  by  about  a  mile.  At  one,  known  as  the  Water  shops,  the 
heavy  forging  is  done ;  the  parts  are  then  transferred  to  what  is  known  as  the  Hill 
shops,  which  comprise  three  large  buildings  about  300  by  60  feet,  each  with  three 
floors  which  are  well  filled  with  machinery.  There  are  no  railway  conveniences  for 
transferring  between  the  two  parts  of  the  armory,  and  this  has  to  be  done  by  team- 
ing through  the  Springfield  streets. 

It  can  readily  be  seen  how  many  economies  could  be  exercised  if  small  arms 
manufacture  were,  at  least  some  of  it,  transferred  to  Rock  Island,  with  its  vacant 
shops  admirably  arranged  and  all  ready  for  the  necessary  plant. 


FRANKFORD  ARSENAL. 

This  is  located  in  the  suburbs  of  Philadelphia.  It  has  been  established  many 
years  and  is  now  the  principal  manufactory  of  projectiles  for  the  army.  None  of  its 
buildings  are  particularly  modern,  nor  are  they  so  well  arranged  as  new  ones  would 
be  which  had  been  designed  particularly  for  the  purpose  to  which  they  are  now  put. 

47 


WATERTOWN  ARSENAL. 

This  establishment  is  in  the  city  of  Watertown,  just  outside  Boston.  It  is  one 
of  the  older  arsenals,  but  its  development  to  its  present  capacity  has  only  been  of 
recent  years.  It  is  the  main  manufactory  of  the  huge  steel  carriages  for  the  large 
guns  used  for  coast  defense,  corresponding  in  that  respect  to  the  field  and  siege 
carriages  now  made  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  Watertown' s  principal  output  is  the 
Buffington-Crozier  gun  carriage  for  8,  10  and  12  inch  rifles.  The  Arsenal  is  entirely 
incapable,  however,  of  producing  the  number  of  these  required  for  the  service,  and 
the  greater  part  are  being  made  under  contract  by  different  private  establishments 
throughout  the  country. 


BATTERY   IN   ACTION. 

Firing  a  National  Salute  on  the  Fourth  of  July. 

WATERVLIET  ARSENAL. 

This  post  is  located  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  River,  opposite  the  city  of 
Troy.  Its  shops  have  been  almost  entirely  rebuilt  within  the  last  ten  years.  The 
principal  building  is  the  great  gun  factory,  which  is  nearly  1,000  feet  long  and  130 
feet  broad.  It  is  [filled  from  one  end  to  the  other  with  enormous  lathes,  boring 
machines,  sharpeners,  presses,  etc.,  required  in  the  manufacture  of  our  huge  seacoast 
cannon.  As  thejargest  of  these  guns  is  over  fifty  feet  long  and  weighs  about  1 10,000 
pounds,  the  size  of  the  necessary  machines  for  its  fabrication  can  be  imagined. 
Recently  the  necessary  machine  tools  for  the  manufacture  of  the  i6-inch  guns,  which, 
manifestly,  must  exceed  the  size  and  weight  of  those  just  previously  mentioned,  have 
been  added  to  the  shops,  and  one  of  the  guns  is  now  in  process  of  fabrication.  The 

48 


manufacture  of  seacoast  cannon  is  a  process  which  cannot  be  hastened,  and  from  the 
first  boring  and  turning  of  the  various  parts,  and  their  heating  and  assembling  in  the 
shrinkage,  of  their  rifling,  etc.,  must  all  be  conducted  with  due  deliberation;  also  the 
immense  amount  of  care  and  refinement,  far  greater  than  that  required  in  the  great 
majority  of  machine  shops.  Many  men,  therefore,  cannot  be  employed,  and  though 
the  shop  has  been  pushed  to  its  capacity  of  running  twenty  hours  a  day  during  the 
recent  war,  it  has  not  partaken  of  the  stir  and  bustle  and  rush  which  have  been  so 
noticeable  features  of  the  recent  operations  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal. 

BENICIA  ARSENAL. 

To  the  four  arsenals  named  must  be  added  that  of  Benicia,  about  twenty  miles 
from  San  Francisco.  Some  little  repair  work  necessary  to  put  in  good  condition  any 
broken  or  unserviceable  parts  of  the  equipment  of  the  Pacific  Coast  is  done  at  that 
place,  but  it  is  in  no  sense  a  manufacturing  arsenal. 

OTHER  ARSENALS,  DEPOTS  AND  STOREHOUSES. 

There  are  several  depots  which,  during  the  Civil  War  of  thirty-five  years  ago, 
were  used  as  manufactories,  but  no  longer  have  a  modern  plant  and  are  not  capable 
of  very  much  work.  Some  of  these,  however,  during  the  war  with  Spain,  have  been 
running  on  equipment  work  for  the  infantry  and  cavalry  soldier  in  conjunction  with 
that  done  at  Rock  Island.  At  Allegheny  Arsenal,  Pittsburg;  Columbia,  Tennessee, 
and  San  Antonio,  Texas,  operations  have  been  conducted  on  blanket  bags  and  their 
straps,  haversacks  and  straps,  saddles,  bridles  and  halters.  In  all  these  cases  the 
material  had  been  partly  fabricated  into  the  desired  article  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal, 
and  then  sent  to  these  establishments  for  completion.  This  became  necessary  to 
relieve  the  pressure  at  Rock  Island,  the  plant  not  being  adequate  to  fully  complete 
all  the  stores. 

Fort  Monroe  Arsenal,  at  Fort  Monroe;  New  York  Arsenal,  in  New  York  Har- 
bor ;  Kennebec  Arsenal,  at  Augusta,  Maine,  and  Augusta  Arsenal,  at  Augusta, 
Georgia,  are  the  remaining  arsenals  of  the  country.  They  are  mainly  storehouses 
for  the  reception  and  distribution  of  the  outputs  of  the  other  arsenals,  and  are  in  no 
sense  manufacturing  establishments. 


ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL. 


The  Arsenal  designed  for  the  manufacture  of  the  carriages,  implements  and  equipments, 
and  harness  for  both  field  and  siege  artillery,  is  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  It  is  the  one  that  is 
best  suited  for  this  work.  —  Report  of  General  Flagler,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  to  Secretary  of 
War,  October  i,  1896. 

Economy  dictates  the  advantage  of  manufacturing  all  our  field  and  siege  carriages  at  this 
Arsenal.  Ample  and  most  excellent  shops  were  completed  many  years  ago  for  this  purpose, 
and  are  available.  —  Report  of  General  Flagler,  Chief  of  Ordnance,  to  Secretary  of  War, 
October  i,  1897. 


act  of  Congress  locating  the  National  Arsenal  on  Rock  Island   was  ap- 
_L      proved  July  n,  1862,  and  it  appropriated  for  that  purpose  $100,000.     This 
was  the  first  action  of  Congress  looking  definitely  to  the  building  of  the  Arsenal. 

Ground  for  the  first  building  —  that  now  so  prominent  at  the  west  end  of  the 
Island,  but  in  fact  only  a  storehouse  and  really  no  part  of  the  active  Arsenal  —  was 
broken  September  i,  1863.  The  tower  of  this  building  is  supplied  with  a  large 
clock,  whose  face  can  be  seen  and  whose  striking  can  be  heard  at  a  great  distance. 
The  dial  is  twelve  feet  in  diameter. 


A   REAR   VIEW   OF  SHOP   B,   NORTH   SIDE. 
50 


SOUTH    ROW  OF  SHOPS,   REAR   VIEW. 

THE  MASSIVE  SHOPS. 

The  row  of  five  shops  south  of  the  main  avenue  is  for  the  Arsenal,  and  the  five 
north  of  the  same  avenue  are  for  the  Armory.  The  center  shop  in  each  row  is  the 
forging  shop  and  foundry  of  the  Arsenal,  and  the  other  four  are  designed  for  finish- 
ing wood,  leather  and  metal  working  of  all  kinds,  specially  for  the  manufacture  of  all 
the  material  of  war.  The  center  shop  of  the  north  row  is  the  rolling  mill  and  forging 
shop  for  the  Armory,  and  the  two  shops  on  either  side  of  it  are  finishing  and  wood- 
working or  ' '  stocking ' '  shops  for  the  manufacture  of  all  kinds  of  small  arms.  The 
center  shop  in  each  row  is  only  one  story  high,  and  the  other  four  have  a  basement 
and  three  stories.  The  ground  plans  of  all  the  ten  shops  are  alike.  Each  building 
consists  of  two  parallel  wings,  60  by  300  feet,  90  feet  apart.  This  leaves  an  interior 
court  90  by  238  feet.  The  porticos  at  the  sides  project  12  feet,  and  are  60  feet  wide, 
and  those  in  front  project  2  feet  and  are  also  60  feet  wide.  The  total  area  of  each 
shop,  including  thickness  of  walls,  is  44,280  square  feet — a  little  more  than  one  acre. 

The  walls  of  these  buildings  are  entirely  of  stone.  The  exterior  or  face  stones 
are  heavy  ashlar,  laid  in  courses,  jointed,  and  having  a  squarely  broken  face,  without 
tool  marks.  The  backing  is  rubble,  laid  also  in  courses,  and  has  its  face,  which 
forms  the  interior  of  the  wall,  well  pointed.  The  average  thickness  of  the  walls  is 
as  follows  :  First  story,  3  feet  4  inches  ;  second  story,  2  feet  10  inches  ;  third  story, 
2  feet  4  inches.  The  amount  of  material  entering  into  the  construction  of  one  of 
these  buildings  is  enormous.  In  shop  A,  the  first  built,  for  instance,  there  are 
30,115,800  pounds  of  rock,  26,000  of  copper,  362, 500  of  slate,  1,33 1,500  of  lumber, 
2,199,646  of  iron,  3,132,800  of  brick,  200,000  of  plaster. 

These  shops  are  not  only  the  largest  and  best  for  arsenal  and  armory  purposes 
in  the  United  States,  but  they  are  hardly  equaled  in  the  world.  No  other  arsenal 


LIBRARY  ~ 

UNIVERSITY  OF 


SHOP   K.     TYPICAL  OF  THE   EIGHT   REGULAR   SHOPS. 


in  this  country  even  approaches  Rock  Island  in  its  spacious,  solid,  costly  and  endur- 
ing buildings.  In  the  rear  of  three  of  these  shops  are  fireproof  stone  storehouses. 
And  of  corresponding  modern  completeness  are  the  barracks  for  six  families  and  170 
men,  the  commanding  officer's  quarters,  the  subaltern  officers'  quarters,  the  general 
offices  and  fire-engine  house. 

One  powder  magazine  has  been  completed,  though  it  is  not  intended  that  any 
considerable  amount  of  powder  will  ever  be  stored  at  the  Arsenal.  Safety  demands 
that  it  should  be  stored  at  the  regular  powder  depots. 


THE  BLACKSMITH  SHOP  AND  FOUNDRY. 
52 


WHAT  THE  ARSENAL  HAS  COST. 


A  question  of  material  value,  and  one  that  it  has  not  been  easy  to  correctly 
answer,  is  this  :  "What  has  Rock  Island  Arsenal  cost?"  The  investment  covers 
a  period  of  thirty-six  years,  and  there  is  actual  and  full  value  to  show  for  it,  the 
appropriations  for  preservation  and  production  of  supplies  and  equipments  not  being 
included  in  the  following  recapitulation  of  cost  of  construction  work  from  1863  to 
September,  1898  : 


CONSTRUCTION 
OF  BUILDINGS 
AND  OTHER 
ARSENAL  WORK. 

ROCK  ISLAND 
WATER  POWER. 

ROCK  ISLAND 
BRIDGE. 

MACHINERY 
AND  SHOP 
FIXTURES. 

TOTALS. 

Under  Maj.  C.  P.  Kings- 
bury,  1863-1864    .... 
Under  Gen.  T.  J.  Rod- 

|      231,384.72 
I,855,455-62 

4,I37,675-24 
2OI,2OO.OO 
69,000.00 

1      231,384.72 
2,302,626.30 
4,982,481.45 
663,450.00 
377,318-48 
432,625.50 
201,652.20 

1440,506.35 
591,911.47 
322,000.00 
lOI.OOO.OO 
67,500.00 
73,150.00 

$       6,664.33 
160,894.74 
96,25O.OO 
l82,3l8.48 
315,125.50 
28,375.00 

Under  Gen.  D.  W.  Flag- 
ler,  1871-1886    

$92,000.00 
44,000.00 
25,000.00 
50,000.00 
98,627.20 

Under  Col.  T.  G.  Baylor, 
1886-1889  

Under  Col.  J.  M.  Whitte- 
more,  1889-1892    .... 

Under  Col.  A.  R.  Buffing- 

Under  Maj.  S.  E.  Blunt, 
1807-1808  . 

1,500.00 

Totals  

$6,496,215.58 

$1,596,067.82 

$789,628.05 

$309,627.20 

$9,191,538.65 

1.     THE   NEW   MAGAZINE   RIFLE.          2.     THE  CAVALRY   CARBINE.          3.      SPRINGFIELD   RIFLE. 

53 


THE  GOVERNMENT   WATER   POWER. 

i.    The  Big  Line  Shaft.  2.    Dynamo  Room.  3.    Putting  Cable  on  a  Tower. 

4.    Wire  Transmission.  5.    Main  Cable  Driving  Wheel. 


54 


THE  GREAT  WATER  POWER. 


The  low-water  flow  of  the  Mississippi  River  here  is  26,000  cubic  feet  per  second  ;  the  high- 
water  flow  is  251,000  cubic  feet  per  second;  the  average  flow  is  62,000  cubic  feet  per  second. 
Using  the  low-water  flow  of  the  river,  about  all  of  which  will  be  available,  we  have  45,500  gross 
horse-power,  the  second  largest  water  power  in  the  world,  Niagara  Falls  ranking  first. 

Here,  384  miles  below  St.  Paul,  there  are  rapids  over  a  succession  of  rocky  chains  extend- 
ing across  the  river,  and  the  descent  is  20.4  feet  in  a  distance  of  14.75  miles.  The  rapids  consist 
of  a  series  of  pools  alternating  with  rapids  over  rock  in  place,  which  crosses  the  river  in  a  series 
of  dams;  these  are  called  chains,  and  there  are  ten  such  designated  on  the  United  States  Engi- 
neer's maps. —  Extracts  from  an  Address  by  E.  W.  Boynton,  City  Engineer  of  Davenport, 
before  the  Western  Waterways  Convention,  held  in  Davenport,  October  5  and  6,  1897. 

EXPERIENCED  engineers  from  the  early  days  of  sixty  years  ago  and  more, 
when  Lieut.  Robert  E.  Lee  and  others  made  surveys  of  the  Rock  Island 
Rapids,  up  to  this  time,  have  remarked  the  great  available  water  power  that  the  fall 
in  the  Mississippi  River  furnishes  at  all  stages.  The  economic  value  of  this  power, 
so  long  acknowledged,  has  been  intensified  during  the  past  decade  that  has  witnessed 
such  wonderful  advances  in  our  knowledge  and  application  of  electricity.  The  Rock 
Island  Rapids  water  power  is  more  than  a  possibility  —  it  is  an  actuality  ;  one  that 
runs  giant  machines  in  the  Arsenal  shops  and  in  the  cities  of  Moline,  Rock  Island 
and  Davenport;  one  that  turns  night  into  day  by  its  illumination;  one  that  makes  this 
locality  great  as  an  industrial  center,  and  one  that  must  make  it  much  greater  in  the 


NEW   WATER-POWER   DAM. 


(The  two  wings  are  192  and  208  feet  long:,  respectively,  with  a  heavy  triangular  pier  at  the  angle.    There  are 
twenty-five  wheel  openings  —  twelve  in  one  wing  and  thirteen  in  the  other.) 

55 


GOVERNMENT   WATER-POWER    DAM,   FROM    BELOW. 

near  future.  Water  power,  both  developed  and  undeveloped,  is  the  prized  posses- 
sion of  this  busy  community. 

This  water  power,  as  has  been  shown  in  the  extract  at  the  head  of  the  chapter, 
is  almost  unlimited.  On  it  the  United  States  Government  has  constructed  dams  and 
gates  which  make  ready  for  use  as  wanted  nearly  4,000  horse-power.  The  Moline 
Water  Power  Company  will  have,  when  the  improvements  now  under  way  are  com- 
pleted, thirty  gates  in  their  dam.  They  have  modern  wheels,  each  of  which  gives 
them  loo  horse-power  with  an  ordinary  6)^  or  7  foot  head  of  water,  or  they  have 
altogether  a  developed  horse-power  of  3,000. 

The  Arsenal  has  forty  openings  in  its  fine  dam,  and  eight  of  these  openings 
have  wheels  in  them.  The  Government,  therefore,  has  at  its  command  for  supplying 
the  Arsenal  with  motive  power,  when  the  thirty-two  wheels  are  put  in,  a  capacity  ol 
4,000  horse-power,  as  stated.  The  improvements  in  progress,  for  which  contracts 
were  let  last  August,  consist  in  running  a  water-tight  dam  from  the  Duck  Creek  chain 
of  rapids  down  the  river  until  it  meets  the  present  Arsenal  wing  dam  above  the  head 
of  the  Island,  with  the  anticipated  effect,  instead  of  having  the  head  of  the  water 
obtained  from  the  east  end  of  the  Island  down,  of  getting  that  from  the  Duck  Creek 
chain  westward.  This,  at  low  stage  of  water,  it  is  expected,  will  add  about  2^  feet 
to  the  head  and  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  per  cent  to  the  available  water  power  at  the 
dams. 

56 


THE  ARSENAL  IN  PEACE. 


To  be  prepared  for  War  is  one  of  the  most  effectual  means  of  preserving  Peace. —  Wash- 
ington to  Congress,  January  8,  1790. 

SINCE  General  Lee  surrendered  to  General  Grant,  the  commander  of  the  Union 
army,  on  April  9,  1865,  at  Appomattox  Courthouse,  Virginia,  the  country 
has  been  at  peace.  The  energy  and  wealth  of  the  people  have  for  thirty-three  years 
been  closely  directed  to  developing  the  marvelous  resources  of  the  Nation.  So  intent 
were  the  people  in  pursuing 
the  arts  of  industry,  commerce 
and  agriculture  that  they  for- 
got the  axiom  of  the  old  phi- 
losopher, "We  should  provide 
in  Peace  what  we  need  in  War, ' ' 
and  the  more  modern  truth  of 
"  Eternal  Vigilance." 

Congress  has  been  asked 
time  and  again  by  officials  of 
the  army  and  navy  to  make 
more  liberal  appropriations  for 
equipment  and  defense,  in  view 
of  an  emergency  that  might 
suddenly  confront  the  country. 

Repeatedly  has  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler,  pointed  out  the  urgent 
necessity,  in  the  interests  of  economy  as  well  as  of  defense,  for  more  money  with 
which  to  provide  the  empty  shops  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  with  machinery. 

But  the  country  had  fallen  into  a  state  of  overconfidence  and  unwarranted 
security.  From  this  it  was  suddenly  aroused  when,  on  April  25,  1898,  formal 
declaration  of  war  was  recommended  by  President  McKinley,  and  a  bill  declaring 
that  "war  exists  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  the  Kingdom  of  Spain" 
passed  both  houses  of  Congress. 

Quickly  came  the  calls  for  125,000  volunteers  ;  for  75,000  more  volunteers, 
and  for  immunes.  The  force  of  the  regular  army  was  largely  increased,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  the  little  organization  of  less  than  25,000  effective  men  was  enlarged  to 
278,500.  The  navy  was  strengthened.  Battleships  were  bought  wherever  they 


HEADQUARTERS   BUILDING. 


57 


ASSISTANT   OFFICERS'   QUARTERS. 


could  be  found,  and  old  hulks, 
to  be  later  sunk,  were  pressed 
into  the  service.  The  volun- 
teers were  ready,  and  the  avail- 
able maximum  of  10,000,000 
men  for  military  duty  was  in 
reserve.  Hundreds  of  millions 
of  dollars  were  offered  the  Gov- 
ernment. But  with  all  these 
magnificent  ' '  sinews  of  war, ' ' 
there  was  delay  ;  costly,  im- 
patient and  dangerous  waiting. 
The  willing  soldiers  could  not 
be  equipped,  and  they  were  not 

for  nearly  three  weary  months.  The  great  Washington's  injunction  had  been  dis- 
regarded. War  came,  and  the  country  was  not  prepared  for  it ;  and  a  cessation 
of  hostilities  followed  after  114  days,  given  to  "getting  ready"  rather  than  to 
fighting,  so  far  as  the  army  was  concerned.  Had  the  foe  been  a  stronger  power, 
what  in  reason  would  have  been  the  consequences? 

What  Rock  Island  Arsenal  has  done  in  time  of  peace,  owing  to  the  inaction  of 
Congress,  is  far  below  what  it  might  and  ought  to  have  been.  It  has  slowly  added 
to  its  machinery  and  men,  and  its  output  has  been  steadily  increased,  but  not  at  a 

rate  equaling  the  Nation' s  prog- 
ress in  other  directions. 

The  history  of  the  Arsenal 
for  the  past  eight  years  is  told 
officially  in  the  following  ex- 
tracts from  the  reports  of  the 
Chief  of  Ordnance  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  and  in  those  of 
the  commanding  officer  : 

[From  (he  report  of  the  Chief  of 
Ordnance,  October  jo,  s8oo.~\ 

The  manufacture  of  equipments 
for  the  infantry,  cavalry  and  artil- 
lery soldier,  the  horse  equipments 
for  cavalry  and  the  artillery  har- 
ness has  been  transferred  to  the 
Rock  Island  Arsenal.  This  trans- 
fer, while  largely  increasing  the 
force  of  workmen  and  manufac- 
STOREHOUSE  A.  tures  at  Rock  Island,  will  afford 

(Located  at  the  foot  of  the  Island,  and  the  only  one  of  the  Arsenal  much   needed   space  at  Watervliet 

buildings  in  full  view  of  passing  trains.)  for  the  accessories  of  gun-making. 


59 


1.  ELEVATION   OF  A   SHOP'S   SIDE   PORTICO. 

2.  THE  OLD   HOSPITAL. 

3.  A   POWDER   MAGAZINE. 


4.  ALONGSIDE   SHOP  A. 

5.  QUARTERMASTER'S   OFFICE. 

6.  LUMBER   DRY-HOUSE. 


A  further  transfer  of  manufactures  from  other  arsenals,  including  field  carriages  and 
implements,  is  contemplated  to  be  made  to  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  in  order  to  concentrate 
there  as  much  work  as  is  consistent  with  the  best  interests  of  the  public  service. 

[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  /,  /<??/.] 

It  is  expected  at  an  early  date  to  utilize  some  of  the  excellent  and  extensive  facilities  ot 
this  Arsenal  for  manufactures  by  transferring  the  construction  of  field  and  siege  carriages  and 
the  equipments  therefor,  and  some  other  manufacturing  work,  to  this  Arsenal. 


THE   BARRACKS. 

i.    Front  View.  2.     Rear  View. 


[From  the  report  of  Capt.  M.  W.  Lyon,  commanding  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  June  jo,  /So/.] 

During  the  year  the  equipment  plant  of  Watervliet  Arsenal  has  been  transferred  here, 
and  all  the  work  formerly  done  there  is  now  included  in  our  manufactures.  The  standard  of 
work  turned  out  has  improved,  and  no  complaints  of  any  kind  have  been  heard  by  us. 


[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  /,  /So2.~] 

The  manufacture  of  field  and  siege  artillery  carriages  has  been  transferred  to  Rock  Island 
Arsenal,  and  the  plant  therefor  is  being  established.  The  manufacture  of  nearly  all  equipments 
for  the  army  is  already  established  at  this  Arsenal. 

61 


SYLVAN    WATER,   OPPOSITE   MOLINE. 


[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  i, 

The  necessary  work  required  for  placing  old  and  new  machinery  in  other  shops  has  been 
progressing  rapidly,  with  a  view  to  preparing  for  the  additional  output  required  of  this  Arsenal. 

[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  /,  /<?$></.] 

The  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  field  and  siege  artillery  carriages  inaugurated  at  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  two  years  since  is  now  in  active  operation.  It  is  organized  for  the  construction 
of:  (i)  machine-gun  carriages  ;  (2)  field-gun  carriages,  steel,  for  3.2-inch  breech-loading  field 
guns  ;  (3)  limbers,  caissons,  battery  wagons  and  forges  for  3.2-inch  breech-loading  field  guns  ; 
(4)  carriages  and  limbers  for  5-inch  breech-loading  siege  guns  and  y-inch  breech-loading 
howitzers. 

The  equipment  of  the  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery  services  are  largely  supplied  from  this 
Arsenal.  *  *  *  More  machinery  is  needed  and  should  be  added  for  more  economical  work. 

[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  i,  1895.] 

All  infantry  and  cavalry  equipments,  artillery  harness,  target  materials,  and  other  similar 
supplies  for  the  use  of  the  army  and  the  militia,  are  manufactured  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  and 
this  work  has  been  satisfactorily  performed  during  the  year  to  the  extent  of  the  appropriations 
available  therefor. 

The  field  and  siege  gun  carriages  and  implements  for  our  artillery  service  are  manufac- 
tured at  this  Arsenal. 

[Front  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  i,  /Sod.'] 

The  work  to  be  carried  on  in  the  various  departments  at  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  included 
the  completion  of  fifty  3.2-inch  field-gun  carriages,  with  their  limbers  complete  ;  twenty  5-inch 
siege-gun  carriages,  and  twelve  y-inch  howitzer  carriages. 

62 


£och  Island 


2a&  Tsi.  .C*T.? ari  :.ji..^*«il..Tj  ^ . 


The  receipts  at  this  post  from  the  army,  with 
smaller  lots  from  the  militia  and  sundry  persons, 
consisted  of  780  lots,  weighing  about  550,000 
pounds,  and  the  issue,  principally  to  the  army, 
amounted  to  1,894  lots,  aggregating  in  weight 
1,300,000  pounds. 

The  Arsenal  designed  for  the  manufacture  of 
the  carriages,  implements  and  equipments,  and  har- 
ness for  both  field  and  siege  artillery,  is  the  Rock 
Island  Arsenal.  It  is  the  one  that  is  best  suited 
for  this  work.  All  of  these  carriages  are  of  steel 
and  are  of  new  types,  and  the  requirements  admit 
of  only  the  highest  excellence  in  the  character  of 
work  that  it  is  possible  to  obtain. 

The  plans  contemplate  the  ultimate  addition 
to  this  plant  of  all  the  machines  that  Shop  G  can 
accommodate,  for  use  in  times  of  emergency,  and 
it  is  believed  that  the  shop  has  sufficient  capacity, 
when  so  utilized  in  connection  with  such  work  as 
could  still  be  performed  in  the  general  machine 
shop,  to  make  the  annual  output  about  240  field  car- 
riages, 360  caissons,  40  combined  battery  wagons  A  BILL  OF  GOODS 
and  forges,  30  traveling  carriages  and  limbers  for 

the  5-inch  siege  guns,  30  carriages  and  limbers  for  the  7-inch  siege  howitzers  and  30 
for  the  y-inch  siege  mortars. 


DUPLICATE. 


carriages 


[From  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  October  /,  1897.] 

During  the  fiscal  year  the  infantry  equipments,  cavalry  accouterments,  horse  equipments, 
material  for  target  practice,  artillery  harness,  field  and  siege  carriages,  caissons,  battery  wagons 
and  forges,  and  many  other  articles  required  by  the  army,  colleges  and  militia,  have  been 
manufactured  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  and  most  of  the  issues  to  the  army,  colleges  and  militia 
have  been  made  direct  from  this  Arsenal.  The  construction  of  the  field  and  siege  carriages, 
with  their  limbers,  caissons  and  battery  wagons  and  forges,  has  also  been  pushed  at  this  Arsenal 
to  the  extent  that  the  limited  plant  available  for  this  work  would  permit,  for  the  accumulation 
of  the  reserve  of  these  carriages  that  will  be  required  for  immediate  issue  in  case  of  emergency. 


[From  the  report  of  Capt.  S.  E.  Blunt  ',  commanding  Rock  Island  Arsenal  ',  July  j/,  /<?P7.] 

The  manufactures  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  during  the  year  (1896-97)  have  been  of  two 
general  classes,  the  various  articles  of  infantry  equipments,  cavalry  accouterments,  horse  equip- 
ments and  other  similar  ordnance  stores,  which  were  made  to  a  value  of  1235,571,  and  field-gun 
carriages,  limbers,  caissons,  battery  wagons  and  forges,  5-inch  siege  carriages,  7-inch  howitzer 
carriages,  siege  limbers,  with  the  necessary  implements  and  equipments  for  the  artillery  service 
and  repairs  to  the  same,  and  to  Gatling-gun  carriages  and  limbers,  all  to  a  value  of  $182,713, 
or  a  total  value  for  articles  manufactured  of  1418,285. 

In  addition,  a  large  amount  of  work  was  done  on  field  and  siege  carriages,  which  are  still 
in  hand.  The  force  employed,  which  was  considerably  increased  during  the  last  months  of  the 
fiscal  year,  numbered  550  employes  of  all  grades  at  its  close. 


ARSENAL   WORKMEN   LEAVING   FOR    HOME. 


THE  ARSENAL  IN  WAR. 


The  efficient  work  done  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  during  the  few  months  of  the  late  war 
with  Spain  has  more  than  returned,  in  advantage  to  the  country,  the  great  cost  of  its  construc- 
tion.— Hon.  W.  B.  Allison,  Chairman,  Senate  Committee  on  Appropriations. 


TT  has  been  the  unchanged  intention  of  the  War  Department  and  of  Congress, 
•*-  since  1862,  to  make  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  in  the  words  of  General  Benet  when 
he  was  Chief  of  Ordnance,  ' '  the  grand  ordnance  manufacturing  establishment  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  with  larger  capacity  when  completed  than  any  other  Arsenal 
within  our  borders." 

The  broad  plans  that  have 
been  so  well  laid,  when  fully 
completed  and  the  shops  are 
crowded  to  their  capacity,  look 
to  the  arming,  equipping  and 
supply  ing  of  an  army  of  750,000 
men.  It  is  estimated  that  the 
capacity  of  this  Arsenal  will 
be,  finally,  from  two  and  one- 
half  to  three  times  that  of  all 
the  arsenals  the  United  States 
had  during  the  Civil  War,  and 
fully  equal  to  all  the  necessi-  FOUNDRY  AND  ROLLING  MILL. 

ties  of  the  Northwest  and  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  from  the  Alleghanies  on  the  east  to  the  Rockies  on  the  west. 

An  approach  to  a  realization  of  this  grand  design  has  been  made  during  the  war 
of  this  year  with  Spain.  Like  magic  the  incomplete  Arsenal  responded  to  the  heavy 
demands  made  upon  it.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  while  not  more  than  one- 
fifth  the  floor  space  is  supplied  with  the  special  machinery  required,  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  has  been  first  of  all  the  arsenals  in  the  United  States  in  the  magnitude  of 
the  work  performed,  in  the  great  variety  of  product,  in  the  number  of  employes  and 
in  the  aggregate  of  wages  paid  in  a  single  month. 

In  the  respects  named,  in  the  large  size  and  substantial  character  of  the  build- 
ings, and  also  in  the  area  of  the  military  reservation  containing  the  Arsenal,  Rock 
Island  stands  preeminently  first. 


65 


VARIETY  OF  PRODUCTS. 


At  this  Arsenal  all  the  numerous  articles  that  go  to  make  up  the  equipment  of 
the  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery  soldier,  with  the  single  exception  of  his  arms,  are 
fabricated.  The  blanket  bag,  with  its  straps,  in  which  the  soldier  carries  the  articles 
of  clothing  which  are  kept  about  his  person;  the  haversack,  intended  for  his  rations; 
the  canteen,  fashioned  from  sheet  tin  and  covered  first  with  felt  and  then  with  a  heavy 
thickness  of  duck,  which  the  soldier  uses  for  his  water  supply  or  for  carrying  his  coffee 
between  camps;  the  meat  can,  a  most  ingenious  device,  part  frying  pan,  part  plate, 
with  the  handle  which  secures  all  the  parts  together,  are  made  here;  also  the  tin  cup, 
used  as  a  coffee  boiler,  which  by  its  handle  can  be  carried  conveniently,  secured  to 
the  haversack.  Knives,  forks  and  spoons  used  in  the  mess  equipment  are  also  fur- 
nished from  here;  and  the  bayonet  scabbards,  made  in  the  rough  at  other  arsenals, 
are  sent  to  Rock  Island  to  be  finished  with  the  leather  frogs  and  the  swivel*  and 
large  brass  hook  which  permits  the  soldier  to  carry  them. 

The  cavalry  and  horse  equipment,  comprising  first  the  saddle,  made  from  the  raw 
lumber  through  its  different  operations  of  planing,  cutting  into  length,  trimming  in  the 
band  saw,  giving  finished  shape  on  the  eccentric  turner,  and  finally  smoothing  and 
preparing  for  the  assembling  of  the  completed  tree,  are  all  performed  here.  The  tree, 
afterward  covered,  first  with 
rawhide  and  then  with  leather, 
is  then  furnished  with  the  nec- 
essary rings,  hooks  and  straps 
for  carrying  the  cavalryman's 
many  articles.  Carbine  scab- 
bards, great  leather  pouches  fas- 
tened to  the  saddle  and  forming 
the  receptacle  for  the  carbine 
when  the  soldier  is  mounted  ; 
saddlebags,  which  for  the  cav- 
alryman serve  the  same  purpose 
as  the  blanket  bag  of  the  infan- 
try soldier,  are  made  out  of 
leather  and  provided  with  the 
necessary  conveniences  for  car- 
rying them  on  the  cantle  of  the 
saddle;  surcingles,  curb  bridles, 
watering  bridles,  halters  and 
their  straps,  lariats,  picket  pins, 
nose  bags,  horse  brushes,  cur- 
rycombs, all  from  their  names 
sufficiently  specifying  their  use, 
are  also  a  part  of  the  output  of 
this  Arsenal.  Pistol  holsters, 


THE  STEAM    HAMMER. 


66 


1.  W.  C.  Verder. 

2.  J.  D.  Johnson. 

3.  Hiram  Shunk. 

4.  Otto  Corken. 


5.  G.  D.  Petcher. 

6.  H.  H.  Schoede. 

7.  Philip  Morgan. 

8.  F.  H.  Davis. 


GROUP  OF   DAY   FOREMEN. 

9.  W.  B.  Lancaster. 

10.  W.  H.  Carl. 

11.  R.  C.  Munson. 

12.  D.  C.  Thompson. 


13.  H.  S.  Bollman. 

14.  Emil  Beck. 

15.  George  Patterson, 

Master  Machinist. 


spurs  and  straps,  saber  belts  and  plates,  the  saber  knots  and  other  articles  of  the 
cavalryman's  equipment  are  likewise  produced  at  Rock  Island,  besides  hundreds 
more  of  comparatively  minor  importance. 

FIELD  AND  SIEGE  GUN  CARRIAGES. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  on  "The  Arsenal  in  Peace"  it  has  been  shown  from 
the  official  reports  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  how  the  variety  of  work  has  been 
extended  during  the  past  few  years.  The  need  of  the  partial  preparation  has  been 
more  than  demonstrated  by  the  shipments  to  the  front  during  the  past  few  months. 
Reference  is  made  to  the  manufacture  of  the  3. 2-inch  field  carriage,  with  its  limber 
and  caisson,  its  battery  wagon  and  forge  ;  and  also  the  carriage  and  limber  for  the 
y-inch  howitzer  and  for  the  5-inch  siege  gun.  These  are  made  of  steel,  forged  and 
fashioned  to  shape  under  hammers  and  presses,  and  finally  assembled  into  the  finished 


67 


1.  FOR    PEACE  OR   WAR. 

2.  FRYING    PAN. 

3.  DOUBLE-WEB   BELT. 


4.  SADDLEBAGS. 

5.  INFANTRYMAN'S   EQUIPMENT. 


6.  A   BLANKET. 

7.  CAVALRYMAN'S   EQUIPMENT. 


article.  To  these  are  also  added  the  most  innumerable  articles  forming  a  part  of  a 
battery  equipment  —  the  sponges,  priming  wires,  sights,  anvils,  lanterns.  To  con- 
tinue the  enumeration  would  be  almost  equal  to  taking  an  inventory  of  a  hardware 
store.  Artillery  harness  for  these  batteries  is  made  here,  with  its  great  number  of 
spare  parts  issued  to  the  service. 

A  GREAT  WORKSHOP  FOR  REPAIRS. 

Besides  the  regular  fabrications,  the  Arsenal  is  a  great  workshop  for  repairs  upon 
all  of  these  stores,  first  issued  to  the  field  and  then,  after  much  service,  turned  in  as 
no  longer  being  quite  equal  to  the  work  required  of  them.  Here  they  are  again  put 
into  shape,  worn  parts  replaced,  old  parts  cleaned  where  possible,  until  the  article 
assumes  almost  the  appearance  of  new. 

A  DEPOT  OF  ISSUE. 

The  Arsenal  is  also  the  greatest  depot  in  the  country  for  the  issue  of  supplies  to 
the  army.  Much  of  the  ammunition  and  many  of  the  small  arms  made  elsewhere 
are  sent  to  Rock  Island  and  from  here  distributed  to  the  soldier.  The  receipts  and 
shipments  are,  therefore,  enormous — much  more  than  those  of  all  the  other  Arsenals 
combined — and  the  railroad  track  with  its  sidings  is  always  well  provided  with  cars. 


GROUP  OF   NIGHT   FOREMEN. 


1.  Chris  Pedersen. 

2.  J.  H.  Winter. 


3.  Homer  Tilton. 

4.  Samuel  Westberg. 


5.  J.  B.  Schoessel. 

6.  H.  J.  Risley. 


C.  C.  Wilson. 
W.  H.  Bragdon. 


69 


AN  INDUSTRIAL  CENTER. 

The  rapidity  with  which  the  normal  number  of  employes,  about  five  hundred, 
was  raised  to  nearly  six  times  that  effective  force  in  the  emergency  of  the  war 
hardly  needs  comment.  It  demonstrates  that  the  great  plant  is  ready  for  expansion, 
and  that  the  output  can  be  increased  to  almost  any  extent  without  confusion.  The 
character  of  the  employes  is  shown  by  the  quality  of  their  product.  Government 
work  is  of  the  highest  standard.  This  cluster  of  cities,  Davenport,  Rock  Island  and 


i.    General  View. 


IN  THE   HARNESS   SHOP. 

2.    Cutting  Room.  3.    Another  View. 


4.    Canteen  Straps. 


Moline,  is  an  industrial  center,  with  thousands  of  artisans,  mechanics  and  other 
skilled  laborers.  When  the  local  supply  is  inadequate,  the  demand  can  be  quickly 
met.  The  plow  factories,  steel  works,  axle  and  wheel  shops  are  the  largest  and  best 
of  their  class  in  the  country. 

SOME  OFFICIAL  FACTS. 

The  annual  report  for  1898  of  Maj.  S.  E.  Blunt,  commandant  at  Rock  Island 
Arsenal,  to  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  important  ever 
made  from  this  post.  It  covers  a  period  of  nearly  fourteen  months,  and  includes 
the  time  of  most  active  operations.  It  gives  exact  information  on  many  points  not 

70 


THE  TIN-CUP  SHOP. 

elsewhere  accessible.  Permission  to  use  essential  parts  of  this  report  has  been 
granted,  and  the  facts  in  the  following  summary  may,  therefore,  be  regarded  as 
entirely  trustworthy  : 

GROUNDS  AND  BUILDINGS. 

The  grounds  and  roads  on  the  Island  have  not  only  been  maintained,  but  much 
improved  and  made  more  attractive.  In  this  regard  over  two  hundred  young  trees 
were  set  out  along  Main  avenue.  This  avenue  throughout  its  length  has  been 
resurfaced  with  macadam. 

ENORMOUS  EXPENDITURES. 

The  experience  of  the  present  war,  urges  the  report,  has  fully  demonstrated  that  for  the 
proper  supervision  of  the  many  and  varied  manufactures  of  this  Arsenal,  and  for  the  inspection 
of  material  and  stores  received  and  issued  to  the  army,  more  assistant  officers  are  necessary. 
The  magnitude  of  the  operations  of  the  Arsenal,  with  its  2,900  employes,  its  day  and  night 
shifts,  its  purchases  of  material  for  fabrications  of  field  and  siege  carriages,  and  for  equipments 
for  artillery,  cavalry  and  infantry  soldier,  as  well  as  of  completed  equipments  from  many  con- 
tractors, '  can  be  briefly  summarized  by  the  statement  that  since  April  i,  1898  (to 
August  15),  they  have  involved  expenditures  from  funds  allotted  to  this  Arsenal  of  over 
$2, 600,000. 

It  is  recommended  that  quarters  be  provided  for  two  of  these  officers. 


THE   MAIN   MACHINE  SHOP. 

A  General  View.  2.    400  Horse-Power  Engine,  Shop  C. 

4.    Bed  Frames  for  Caissons  —  Machine  Shop. 


3.    Making  Field-Gun  Carriage  Trails. 
Slotter  at  Work,  Shop  G. 


FIELD  AND  SIEGE   CARRIAGES. 

Major  Blunt  gives  some  space  to  the  comparatively  new  and  highly  important 
department  of  field  and  siege  carriages.  The  basement  and  first  floor  of  the  west 
wing  of  Shop  G  have  been  prepared  for  use  as  a  machine  and  erecting  shop  for  field 
carriages,  limbers,  caissons,  battery  wagons  and  forges,  and  for  siege  carriages  and 
limbers.  He  adds: 

For  these  two  floors  the  following  machines  were  purchased  and  all  installed  during  the 
winter,  with  their  counters  and  other  subsidiary  shafting  :  Six  engine  lathes  of  different  sizes, 
three  column  shapers,  eight  upright  drill  presses,  three  milling  machines,  one  planer,  one 
horizontal  boring  and  drilling  machine,  one  universal  radial  drilling  machine,  one  bolt  cutter 
and  two  tool  grinders.  The  necessary  number  of  machinists'  bench  vises  and  grindstones  were 
also  procured  and  placed.  *  *  *  To  provide  additional  facilities  for  rapidly  turning  out 


HE   MAIN   BLACKSMITH   SHOP  — INTERIOR. 


field  and  siege  carriages,  etc.,  the  preparation  of  the  basement  and  first  floor  of  Shop  G  for 
the  reception  of  machinery  has  recently  been  extended  to  include  its  central  portion  and  the 
east  wing.  In  the  central  portion  the  first  floor  on  its  street  front  will  comprise  a  commodious 
tool  room,  extending  from  wing  to  wing,  and  so  provided  with  machine  tools  that  all  tool  mak- 
ing and  repairing  will  be  conducted  within  its  limits.  Convenient  office  and  store  rooms  have 
been  made  on  the  court  side  of  this  part  of  the  shop.  The  basement  and  first  floor  of  the  east 
wing  are  now  ready  for  the  installation  of  the  machinery  which  has  been  ordered  under  the 
appropriation  made  for  this  purpose  at  the  last  session  of  Congress.  Some  of  the  machinery 
has  been  delivered,  and  it  is  hoped  all  will  be  established  and  in  operation  before  the  close  of 
the  calendar  year. 

The  plant  still  remaining  in  Shop  C  is  sufficient  and  suitable  for  a  very  limited  production 
of  field  and  siege  carriages  or  for  repairs  upon  those  that  may  be  turned  in  from  the  field. 
Operated  in  connection  with  the  larger  plant  in  Shop  G,  it  is  estimated  an  annual  output  can  be 

73 


reached  of  about  ninety  field  carriages,  ninety  caissons  and  fifteen  battery  wagons  and  forges, 
or  fifteen  complete  six-gun  batteries;  and  in  addition  about  twenty  siege  carriages,  with  their 
limbers.  It  is  believed  this  is  not  sufficient  for  the  probable  needs  of  the  army  and  that  a 
further  provision  should  be  made  for  completing  the  plant  on  the  first  floor  and  basement 
of  Shop  G  and  for  its  extension  into  the  second  floor. 

SMALL  ARMS. 

Last  winter  the  work  was  begun  of  cleaning  and  repairing  a  number  of  Spring- 
field rifles  sent  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  for  that  purpose.  The  necessary  plant  was 
established  in  rather  a  small  way,  beginning  with  an  output  of  about  forty  guns  a 
day.  The  demand  greatly  increased  and  the  work  was  extended  until  it  occupied 
the  entire  front  and  most  of  the  west  wing  of  Shop  D.  Late  in  June  eighty-five  men 
and  boys  turned  out  about  five  hundred  completed  rifles  or  carbines  a  day.  In 
July  there  was  an  increase  to  about  six  hundred  rifles  a  day. 

The  increase  of  the  number  to  be  repaired  from  the  original  10,000  to  nearly  50,000,  and 
from  the  more  moderate  output  of  100  a  day  to  the  600  finally  demanded,  also  added  consider- 
ably to  expenses  for  equipment.  Up  to  June  30,  when  31,000  had  been  repaired,  the  cost  per 
gun  for  tools  and  equipment  had  been  about  3  cents,  the  cost  for  material  used  in  the  work 
about  3#  cents,  and  the  labor  charges  about  61%  cents,  or  a  total  cost  of  about  68  cents  a  gun. 


IN   THE  CARPENTER   SHOP. 
74 


FROM   PEACE  TO  WAR. 

The  transition  of  the  Arsenal  from  the  ordinary  state  in  time  of  peace  to  the 
activity  and  rush  of  war  suddenly  forced  upon  the  country  came  without  confusion. 
In  a  few  weeks  the  normal  force  of  less  than  500  employes  was  increased  to  more 
than  2,900.  New  machinery  was  installed  as  new  men  were  added.  How  the 
Arsenal  met  the  emergency  is  described  by  Major  Blunt  in  these  words: 

Until  this  year  no  canteens  had  been  made  at  this  Arsenal,  the  surplus  left  over  from  the 
war  of  1861-65,  when  repaired  and  recovered,  being  sufficient  to  meet  the  ordinary  demands  of 
the  army.  The  production  of  meat  cans  and  tin  cups  had  also  been  always  on  a  moderate 
scale.  The  plant  in  the  tin  shop  had,  therefore,  comprised  only  one  power  press  and  one 
power  shears,  with  several  folders  and  other  minor  tools.  *  Soon  five  large  presses,  one 

of  them  back-geared,  and  one  medium  and  four  small  presses  were  added;  also  two  double- 


A  CORNER  IN  THE  MACHINE  SHOP. 


seaming  machines,  two  forming  rolls,  seven  burring  machines,  two  wiring  machines,  one  large 
and  one  small  turner,  one  beading  machine,  one  groover,  four  squaring  shears,  two  3o-inch  and 
four  2o-inch  folders,  one  setting-down  machine,  four  soldering  and  two  double-seaming  stakes, 
as  well  as  a  number  of  minor  tools  and  appliances,  were  added. 

In  the  equipment  part  of  the  machine  shop  the  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  buckles,  rings, 
loops,  squares,  brass  hooks  of  different  shapes,  saddle  irons,  ovals  and  studs,  curb  bits,  snaps, 
and  the  many  other  similar  parts  of  infantry,  cavalry  and  horse  equipment,  had  been  based 
upon  the  ordinary  demands  of  the  army  in  time  of  peace,  and  was  entirely  inadequate  for  the 
immense  increase  in  production  so  suddenly  required  from  the  Arsenal.  As  for  the  other 
shops,  the  necessary  machinery  was,  however,  soon  obtained,  until  fifteen  power  presses  of 
different  sizes,  two  3-spindle  and  one  i-spindle  drill  presses,  two  hand  milling  machines,  two 
14-inch  and  two  i  i-inch  speed  lathes  and  a  number  of  different  minor  bench  tools  and  appli- 
ances had  been  added  to  the  shop  equipment.  Thirteen  additional  braziers'  furnaces  were  also 

75 


J< 
£  13 

c  d. 


76 


GENERAL  STORES. 

i.    Cords  of  Targets.  2.    Open  Ammunition  Chest.  3.    Stoves  in  Stock. 

4.    Steel  Horse  Collars.  5.     Bayonets. 

installed,  and  a  75<>gallon  Springfield  gas  machine  and  a  Sturtevant  steel-pressure  blower  to 
provide  the  necessary  fires. 

Increased  facilities  were  likewise  added  to  the  blacksmith  shop,  the  foundry  and 
other  departments.  How  this  enlarged  the  output  one  paragraph  from  the  report 
will  explain  : 

In  the  west  wing  of  Shop  G  nearly  four  hundred  men  and  boys  engaged  in  sewing,  first 
the  felt  and  afterward  the  duck  covers  upon  the  canteens  as  made  here,  or  upon  those  purchased 
from  contractors.  The  force,  as  they  became  more  expert,  finally  reached  an  output  of  8,000 
canteens  per  day.  In  all,  nearly  seven  hundred  men  and  boys  were  employed  on  this  floor. 

Further  details  as  to  how  the  force  was  multiplied  and  the  output  extended  and 
varied  will  prove  interesting.  Major  Blunt  says  : 

On  March  i,  1898,  the  usual  force  of  slightly  less  than  five  hundred  men  was  employed  at 
the  Arsenal,  engaged  in  work  upon  field  carriages  and  caissons,  siege  carriages  and  limbers, 

77 


and  the  different  articles  of  infantry  equipment,  cavalry  accouterment  and  horse  equipment 
which,  under  the  usual  orders,  had  been  undertaken  earlier.  Work  was  so  progressing  that  all 
the  equipments,  based  upon  the  ordinary  demands  of  the  army  in  time  of  peace,  would  be 
completed  late  in  June  ;  the  siege  carriages  and  limbers  were  nearly  finished  ;  the  field-carriage 
work  had  only  been  started  a  few  weeks  before. 

The  record  shows  that  the  war  which  came  was  anticipated,  and,  so  far  as  possi- 
ble, preparations  made  for  it.  March  9,  General  Flagler,  the  Chief  of  Ordnance, 
directed  by  wire  ' '  that  work  be  pushed  on  all  existing  orders  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
and  that  extra  shifts  of  workmen  be  employed."  Steps  were  promptly  taken  to 
comply  with  instructions,  but  three  days  later  the  telegram  of  March  9  was  partially 
rescinded.  March  26,  orders  came  to  manufacture  25,000  sets  of  infantry  equipments, 
and  the  number  of  men  was  increased  to  608  at  the  end  of  that  month.  April  5, 
orders  came  in  these  words' :  ' '  Press  work  on  all  field  and  siege  carriages  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  employing  extra  shifts  of  men  as  far  as  economical."  April  21,  instruc- 
tions were  received  increasing  the  infantry  equipments  to  75,000  sets,  and  ordering 
10,000  sets  of  horse  equipments  and  100  sets  of  artillery  harness  for  led  horses. 
The  next  day  equipment  work  was  put  into  two  shifts,  the  first  of  ten  hours  and  the 
second  of  eight  hours.  This  a  few  days  later  was  changed  to  ten  hours  for  each 
shift,  and  work  was  so  continued  twenty  hours  per  day  until  the  reductions  began, 
early  in  August. 


i.    A  Full  Carload. 


SHIPMENTS  TO   CUBA. 

2.     Loading  the  Carriages. 


3.    Caissons  and  Limbers. 


A  CORNER  IN  THE  SEWING-MACHINE  ROOM. 


On  May  5,  continues  Major 
Blunt,  a  telegram  was  received 
directing  me  to  provide  54,000  sets 
infantry  equipments,  5,000  sets  cav- 
alry accouterments  and  5,000  sets 
horse  equipments  in  addition  to 
those  previously  ordered,  and  spec- 
ifying that  they  were  to  be  turned 
out  at  the  rate  of  1,500  of  the  for- 
mer and  200  of  the  latter  per  day, 
or  faster,  if  possible.  I  was  also 
advised  that  the  commanding  offi- 
cers of  Allegheny,  Indianapolis  and 
Columbia  arsenals  and  the  master 
harnessmaker  from  San  Antonio 
Arsenal  would  visit  this  Arsenal  to 
confer  with  me  regarding  what  fab- 
rications could  be  advantageously 
undertaken  at  their  respective  ar- 
senals. This  conference  was  duly  held,  and  as  a  result  the  manufacture  of  30,000  each  of  blanket, 
bag,  shoulder  and  coat  straps,  haversack  straps  and  canteen  straps  was  commenced  at  Allegheny 
Arsenal ;  of  25,000  blanket  bags  and  straps  and  haversacks  and  straps  at  Indianapolis  Arsenal, 
and  also  at  Columbia  Arsenal ;  and  3,000  saddles,  curb  bridles  and  halters  at  San  Antonio 
Arsenal.  All  the  buckles,  hooks,  rings  and  other  similar  parts  of  these  equipments  were  made 
here  and  sent  to  those  arsenals  ;  the  duck  for  blanket  bags  and  haversacks  was  stamped  here 
and  then  shipped  there.  The  curb  bits  for  the  bridles  and  the  saddletrees  were  also  completed 
here.  Many  of  the  smaller  tools  were  furnished,  and  also  men  to  serve  as  foremen. 

May  9,  telegraphic  orders  were  received  for  the  manufacture  of  102  field  car- 
riages and  limbers,  150  caissons  and  limbers  and  17  battery  wagons  and  forges,  and 
instructions  to  also  procure  material  for  24  carriages  for  siege  howitzers  and  for  the 
same  number  for  5-inch  siege  guns.  June  6,  instructions  were  received  to  ' '  manu- 
ufacture  or  to  procure  by  purchase"  10,000  sets  cavalry  and  horse  equipments  in 
addition  to  previous  orders,  and  that  the  work  be  ' '  prosecuted  with  all  possible 
dispatch."  June  15,  orders  came  to  make  up  3,600  more  sets  of  horse  equipments. 
To  meet  these  ' '  rush ' '  orders  it  was  necessary  to  let  contracts  among  fifty-two 
bidders  for  work  to  the  value  of  $570,602.  June  22,  directions  were  wired  to 
increase  what  might  be  called  the  "  mess  outfit "  part  to  5,000  per  day,  or  to  6,000 
if  it  could  possibly  be  done,  and  steps  to  reach  that  number  were  at  once  taken. 
June  25,  the  manufacture  of  148  sets  artillery  harness  for  wheel  horses  was  ordered, 
also  1 88  sets  for  led  horses  ;  and  on  the  27th,  instructions  to  provide  75,000  addi- 
tional sets  of  infantry  equipments,  except  certain  specified  articles.  July  7,  12,000 
more  sets  of  horse  equipments  were  asked  for.  These  large  orders  made  the  calling 
on  contractors  imperative  for  work  amounting  to  $208,087.50.  At  this  time  there 
were  forty-six  different  firms  or  individuals  delivering  finished  articles  of  ordnance 
stores  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  ready,  after  proper  inspection,  for  issue  to  troops. 
The  larger  part  of  this  order  for  12,000  sets  of  horse  equipments  it  was,  however, 
contemplated  to  fabricate  at  this  Arsenal,  where  the  facilities  for  all  such  work  had 
been  very  much  increased.  To  quote  from  Major  Blunt' s  report  again  : 


79 


IN  THE   FOUNDRY. 


i.    Pouring  Off—  Brass  Foundry.  2.    Iron-Melting  Furnaces.  3.    The  Main  Molding  Room. 

4.    Old  Shells  for  Recasting.  5.    The  Brass  Molders. 


80 


CONTRACT  WORK. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  131  different  firms  or  individuals  were,  or  had  been,  delivering 
material  at  this  Arsenal,  and  the  amounts  of  some  of  the  principal  stores  ordered  were  as 
follows  :  351,400  yards  of  dyed  duck  and  1,008,000  yards  of  cotton  webbing,  of  various  widths, 
for  haversacks,  blanket  bags  and  canteen  covers  ;  654,000  pounds  of  tin  plate  for  meat  cans, 
canteens  and  tin  cups ;  79,900  pounds  brass  wire  and  89,500  pounds  of  sheet  brass  for  the 
buckles,  rings,  hooks,  etc.,  of  the  different  equipments;  954,000  feet  linen  rope  for  lariats; 
205,300  pounds  harness-leather  backs  and  1,262,000  square  feet  collar,  bridle  and  bag  leather 
for  straps,  saddles,  carbine  scabbards,  saddlebags,  etc.;  116,200  pounds  of  copper  and 
1,161,900  pounds  of  steel  and  iron  for  gun  carriages,  etc.,  and  for  the  various  parts  of  equip- 
ments ;  133,000  feet  of  basswood  and  ash  for  saddletrees,  and  690,000  feet  of  other  lumber  for 
ammunition  chests,  packing  boxes,  work  benches,  etc.,  besides  many  thousand  pounds  of 
minor  articles. 


No. 


PAY. 


Month  of. 


A   PAY   ENVELOPE  — EXACT   SIZE. 

WAR  PERIOD  PAY  ROLL. 

THE   NUMBER   OF  WORKMEN   AND  AMOUNT  OF   MONTHLY  WAGES  AT   DIFFERENT   PERIODS. 


DATE. 

NAMES  ON  ROLL. 

AMOUNT  OF  MONTHLY  ROLL. 

March  31,  1898    

608 

$  32,708.  v) 

April    30,  1898    .  .  *  

I,  O77 

48,789.06 

May      31,  1898    

1,784 

00.170.82 

June     30,  1898    

2.^12 

I26.6SQ.24. 

July       ^i,  1898    . 

2,902 

175,0^0.7'; 

It  will  be  observed  that  in  the  last  three  months,  when  work  was  being  prosecuted  more 
nearly  to  the  capacity  of  the  Arsenal  with  its  present  plant,  the  sum  paid  in  wages  to  the 
employes  aggregated  nearly  $400,000. 

No  diiliculty  whatever  was  experienced  in  securing  all  the  men  to  whom  employment 
could  be  given  —  in  fact,  the  applications  far  exceeded  the  vacancies  in  all  grades,  from  the 
skilled  mechanic  to  the  laborer,  and,  if  the  capacity  of  the  plant  had  so  permitted,  several 


81 


times  the  number  actually  employed  could  have  been  obtained.  The  single  exception  to  this 
was  in  regard  to  harnessmakers,  but  even  in  this  case  I  believe  no  difficulty  would  have  been 
experienced  if  the  magnitude  of  the  orders  to  be  ultimately  given  had  been  known  to  me  more 
in  advance. 

EFFICIENT  EMPLOYES. 

As  the  force  was  increased,  the  necessity  for  foremen  and  inspectors  familiar  with  the 
successive  operations  (for  there  was  no  time  to  teach  and  develop  new  men)  grew  with  the 
expansion  of  the  work.  They  were  found  among  the  old  employes,  and  from  their  ranks  a 
number  of  temporary  appointments  to  these  positions  were  made.  They  proved  capable  and 
efficient,  and  when  necessary,  as  was  frequently  the  case,  worked  overtime  with  entire  willing- 
ness; in  fact,  the  spirit  they  displayed  permeated,  with  very  few  exceptions,  the  entire  force, 
the  men  being  apparently  animated  by  the  desire  to  observe  the  shop  rules  and  regulations  to 
the  best  of  their  ability  and  to  render  all  possible  assistance  to  the  Government  in  the  existing 
emergency. 

Major  Blunt  in  particular  commends  Mr.  George  Patterson,  master  machinist. 
Mr.  Patterson  was  transferred  from  Watervliet  Arsenal,  where  he  had  been  the  prin- 
cipal assistant  foreman  in  the  Armory  gun  factory  while  Major  Blunt  was  himself  in 
charge  there.  Speaking  of  Master  Machinist  Patterson,  the  commandant  says: 

His  experience  and  abilities  have  since  proved  of  great  value,  and  with  his  assistance  many 
modifications  in  the  details  of  manufacture  have  been  introduced  which  will  considerably 
diminish  both  the  time  and  cost  of  production,  especially  of  gun  carriages  and  similar  work, 
but  also  of  many  articles  of  equipment. 


THE  CROWDED   MAIN   AVENUE. 

i.    A  Morning  Scene.  2.    In  the  Evening. 

82 


THE  ARSENAL'S  OUTPUT. 


The  principal  articles  of  ordnance  stores,  either  made  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
altogether  or  in  part,  and  received  from  contractors  between  April  15  and  August  15, 
may  be  tabulated  as  follows: 


TOTAL  PROVIDED. 


3.2-inch    breech-loading    rifles   and 

other  field  guns, 25 

Carriages,  3-inch  and  3.2-inch  breech- 
loading  rifle, .53 

Limbers,    3.2-inch    and    3.6-inch 

breech-loading  rifle, 210 

Caissons,    3.2-inch    and    3.6-inch 

breech-loading  rifle, 120 

Combined    forge    and    battery 

wagon i 

Carriages,  7-inch  siege  howitzer,      .  n 
Various  implements  and  equipments 

for  3.2-inch  and  3.6-inch  batteries,  1,390 
Various  implements  and  equipments 

for  5-inch  and  7-inch  batteries,      .  705 
Miscellaneous  artillery  implements 

and  equipments, 914 

Artillery  harness,  led-horse,  sets,     .  479 

Artillery  harness,  wheel-horse,  sets,  148 

Artillery  harness,  extra  parts,      .  • .  2,440 

Springfield  carbines,  caliber  .45,      .  17,500 

Springfield  rifles,  caliber  .45,       .     .  24,300 

Colt's  revolvers,  caliber  .38,    ...  23 

Sabers  and  swords, 2,447 

Carbine  slings, 8,085 

Carbine-sling  swivels, 4,626 

Cartridge  belts,  calibers  .30  and  .45,  37,325 

Cartridge-belt  plates, 5°,  444 

Cartridge  boxes,  calibers  .38  and  .45,  7,069 

Pistol  holsters,  calibers  .38  and  .45,  .  16,151 

Knapsacks,  light  artillery,       .     .     .  150 

Saber  belts,  cavalry 18,880 

Saber  attachments 16,129 

Saber  knots, 2,377 

Spurs 43.307 

Spur  straps, 52,324 

Waist  belts, 11,317 


ARTICLES.  TOTAL  PROVIDED. 

Bayonet    scabbards,    hook    attach- 
ment,      194,432 

Blanket  bags 68,798 

Blanket-bag  shoulder  straps,  pairs,  88,560 

Blanket-bag  coat  straps,  pairs,    .     .  71,767 

Canteens 259,505 

Canteen  straps,  infantry,     ....  202,162 

Canteen  straps,  cavalry 27,207 

Gun  slings, 155,885 

Haversacks 143,932 

Haversack  straps, 152,495 

Meat  cans, 241,599 

Tin  cups, 260,248 

Knives, 210,211 

Forks, 184,029 

Spoons, 287,923 

Waist-belt  plates,       21,223 

Curb  bridles, 1,051 

Bridles,  watering, 20,973 

Curb  bits 4,546 

Carbine  boots,       7,041 

Carbine  scabbards, 20,520 

Currycombs, 29,769 

Halter  headstalls,       .     .     .     .     .     .  18,333 

Halter  straps, 25,087 

Horse  brushes 20,641 

Lariats, 11,588 

Lariat  straps, 30,445 

Links 5,836 

Nose  bags, 17,031 

Picket  pins,       27,335 

Saber  straps, 14,674 

Saddles, 13,801 

Saddlebags,  pairs, 20,262 

Side  lines, 2,848 

Saddle  blankets,  cavalry  and  artil- 
lery   30,732 


STORES  RECEIVED  AND  ISSUED. 

During  the  first  nine  months  of  the  fiscal  year  (beginning  July  i,  1897),  the  usual  amount 
of  infantry  equipments,  cavalry  accouterments,  horse  equipments,  materials  for  target  practice, 
artillery  harness,  carriages,  caissons,  projectiles  and  powder,  small-arm  ammunition  and  many 
other  articles  of  ordnance  stores  were  issued  to  the  regular  army,  to  colleges  and  to  the  militia, 
and  a  great  quantity  of  similar  articles  in  an  unserviceable  condition  were  turned  in  here  for  the 
repairs  necessary  to  make  them  again  fit  for  issue. 


INTERIORS   OF  SHOPS. 


i.    The  Paint  Shop. 


2.    An  Attic.  3.    Caissons  and  Limbers. 

5.    Tons  of  Saluting  Powder. 


4.    Small-Arms  Stores. 


During  the  last  quarter  of  the  fiscal  year  these  transactions  greatly  increased.  I  have, 
therefore,  in  the  following  table,  separately  included  them,  and  though  not  properly  belonging 
to  the  year,  yet,  as  forming  part  of  the  issues  of  the  same  war  period,  have  also  added  a  report 
for  July,  1898.  The  weights  are  given  in  pounds. 


RECEIPTS    OF   ORDNANCE   STORES    FROM    REGULAR    AND   VOLUNTEER   ARMY    AND   MILITIA. 


JULY   I,    1897, 
TO 
MARCH   31,    1898. 

APRIL  I,   1898, 
TO 
JUNE  30,   1898. 

TOTAL    FOR 
YEAR. 

JULY,   1898. 

In  less  than  carload  lots  .  .  . 
In  carload  lots 

542,720 

256,857 
I  OO8  083 

799,577 

I    OO8  083 

192,796 
12^  O^O 

Totals  

S42.72O 

1,264,04.0 

1,807.660 

317.  8^*; 

ISSUES   OF   ORDNANCE   STORES   TO    REGULAR   AND   VOLUNTEER   ARMY   AND   MILITIA. 


JULY    I,    1897, 
TO 
MARCH  31,   1898. 

APRIL    I,    1898, 
TO 
JUNE  30,   1898. 

TOTAL   FOR 
YEAR. 

JULY,   1898. 

In  less  than  carload  lots  .  .  . 
In  carload  lots 

1,031,010 

756,938 

i  *S8  128 

1,787,948 

•?  ^88  128 

1,286,347 
4?6  OT^ 

Totals  

I.O3I.OIO 

4,i4S,o66 

s,  176,  076 

1,725   262 

The  total  weight  of  issues  and  receipts  of  these  finished  stores  is  6,983,736  pounds  for  the 
fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1898  ;  for  the  four  months  from  April  i  to  July  31  it  is  7,451,123 
pounds. 

Considering  so  much  of  the  war  period  as  extended  from  April  i  to  July  31,  the  stores 
issued  to  troops  aggregated  5,868,328  pounds,  or  an  average  of  48,101  pounds  per  day,  Sundays 
included.  This  statement  of  an  average  hardly  permits,  however,  an  accurate  judgment  of  the 
daily  shipments  of  the  Arsenal  during  its  heaviest  period.  They  were  much  lighter  in  April 
than  in  the  following  months,  and  had  begun  to  decrease  in  the  latter  part  of  July.  About  the 
middle  of  June  they  for  days  at  a  time  exceeded  120,000  pounds. 

COST  OF  CONTRACT  WORK. 

While  fairly  favorable  prices  were  obtained  for  the  $1,110,000  worth  of  finished  articles  of 
ordnance  stores  procured  under  contracts,  yet  in  all  cases  they  exceeded,  in  some  instances 
considerably  so,  the  cost  at  which  similar  stores  were  at  the  same  time  being  turned  out  at  the 
Arsenal. 


ARGUMENTS  FOR  THE  ARSENAL. 

Taking  different  items  for  comparison,  Major  Blunt  far  more  than  makes  good  his  state- 
ment. In  the  matter  of  saddles  alone  there  would  have  been  a  saving  to  the  Government  of 
about  $30,000  if  sufficient  saddles  had  been  in  store  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  or  if  the 
plant  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  had  permitted  their  manufacture  with  the  necessary  rapidity.  And 
besides  this,  as  the  commandant  says  :  "It  must  also  be  remembered  that  the  articles  obtained 
by  purchase,  especially  at  such  a  period,  as  has  unquestionably  been  the  case  with  most  of  those 
recently  procured  under  contracts,  are  often  inferior,  both  in  material  and  workmanship,  to 


those  produced  in  the  Government  shops.  This  fact  was  universally  acknowledged  by  all  con- 
tractors who  visited  this  Arsenal  during  the  last  few  months  and  examined  the  work  in  progress." 
Assuming  the  cost  of  purchases  to  average  about  14  per  cent,  the  commandant  reasons  it 
"would  mean  an  expenditure  of  about  $150,000  since  the  declaration  of  war  that  with  proper 
facilities  for  manufacturing  at  this  Arsenal  need  not  have  been  made." 

UNDEVELOPED  CAPACITIES. 

Rock  Island  Arsenal,  observes  Major  Blunt  in  concluding  his  report 
for  1898  to  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  "has  now  a  water  power  sufficient,  if 
properly  utilized,  for  operating  all  the  machinery  that  could  be  placed  in 
its  shops.  It  has  ten  as  fine  buildings  as  exist  at  any  arsenal,  or  as  can 
be  found  at  any  private  establishment.  They  are  admirably  suited  to  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  erected,  yet  in  only  one  of  the  ten  has  an 
adequate  amount  of  machinery  been  installed,  and  in  two  others  only 
fractional  parts  of  the  shops  are  occupied. 

"  As  at  present  equipped,  only  about  one-fifth  of  the  floor  space  avail- 
able has  been  used  for  machinery  and  employes,  and  it  is  consequently 
no  exaggeration  to  maintain  that  the  recent  output  has  borne  only  that 
proportion  to  what  could  have  been  accomplished  if  every  floor  of  every 
shop  had  been  provided  with  power  and  machinery  and  other  facilities 
for  the  proper  prosecution  of  work. 

"  What  the  undeveloped  capacities  of  the  Arsenal  are  can  be  surmised 
by  considering,  with  the  multiplier  suggested,  the  figures  given  in  a  pre- 
vious summary  for  its  summer's  output.  Substitute  for  some  of  this 
product,  if  deemed  advisable,  other  lines  of  manufacture  not  yet  intro- 
duced, but  for  which  the  buildings  and  their  surroundings  are  adapted, 
and  it  will  be  evident  that  if  the  capacity  of  the  Arsenal  were  fully  devel- 
oped, it  would  easily  prove  equal  to  the  task  of  expeditiously  and  econom- 
ically producing  the  equipment  for  a  large  army. 

"  To  attain  this  end  considerable  sums  will,  however,  be  necessary, 
but,  if  judiciously  expended,  no  better  or,  in  the  long  run,  more  econom- 
ical use  could  be  made  of  the  public  funds." 


THE   OLD   MILL   AT   THE   HEAD   OF  THE   ISLAND. 

86 


THE  FUTURE  OF  THE  ARSENAL. 


God  grants  liberty  only  to  those  who  love  it,  and  are  always  ready  to  guard  and  defend 
it. — Daniel  Webster. 

IT  has  been  shown  by  official  figures  how  Rock  Island  Arsenal  promptly  met  the 
sudden  and  enormous  demands  made  upon  it  during  the  war  with  Spain ;  but 
vast  as  the  output  was  then,  and  varied  as  the  products  were,  the  Arsenal  was  not 
taxed  to  more  than  one-fourth  its  capacity  when  fully  completed.      No  one  is  more 
intimately  acquainted  with  the  building  of  the  shops  or  with  what  they  are  intended 


ONE  OF  MANY  EMPTY  ROOMS. 


to  do  than  Gen.  D.  W.  Flagler,  the  commandant  from  1871  to  1886,  and  for  the 
past  eight  years  Chief  of  Ordnance,  United  States  Army.  General  Flagler,  in 
answer  to  questions  in  regard  to  his  plans  for  the  future  of  the  Arsenal,  and  in  a 
conversation  during  his  late  visit  of  inspection  to  the  Island,  said: 

I  have  in  no  particular  changed  my  views  as  to  the  wisdom  of  completing  Rock  Island 
Arsenal  in  accordance  with  my  plans  at  the  time  I  left  it  in  1886.  No  new  buildings  have  been 
commenced  since  that  time,  only  because  appropriations  for  their  construction  were  not  avail- 
able. The  buildings  still  required  to  complete  the  plans  are  as  follows: 

Two  stone  storehouses  like  A  and  Storehouse  K,  already  built.  These  are  to  be  located — 
Storehouse  I  at  the  intersection  of  South  and  East  avenues,  and  Storehouse  B  at  the  intersec- 
tion of  North  and  West  avenues. 

8? 


1.  GOING  TO  THE   DEPOT. 

2.  PACKING   EQUIPMENT. 


3.  A    STOREHOUSE. 

4.  AN   UPPER    FLOOR   STOREROOM. 


5.      CARS   READY    FOR   LOADING. 


WHERE    MACHINERY   IS    NEEDED. 


Three  brick  storehouses  for  lumber,  iron  and  steel,  and  for  artillery  and  artillery  pro- 
jectiles, similar  to  the  lumber  storehouse  south  of  Shop  C,  are  to  be  located  in  rear  of  Shops 
G,  H  and  D.  (The  location  of  all  the  shops,  other  buildings  and  avenues  are  shown  on  the 
map  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  on  page  58. ) 

Coal  sheds  for  storing  and  elevated  track  for  dumping  coal  in  rear  of  Shop  E. 

A  hospital,  stables,  and  about  four  additional  sets  of  officers'  quarters. 

Nine  additional  inexpensive  wooden  laboratory  buildings  on  the  site  which  has  been 
prepared  for  laboratories,  on  the  west  side  of  West  avenue,  on  the  plateau  near  Sylvan  Water. 

There  are  required  not  less  than  two  additional  ammunition  magazines,  similar  and 
adjacent  to  the  one  already  constructed,  near  Sylvan  Water,  and  about  650  yards  west  of  West 
avenue. 

Two  small  powder  magazines,  about  midway  between  East  avenue  and  Moline  bridge, 
but  about  500  yards  from  each  other.  The  location  of  these  is  shown  on  maps  of  the  Arsenal 
which  I  have  prepared. 


GETTING    READY    FOR    WORK. 


The  total  estimated  cost  of  these  buildings  is  1465,000.  Water  wheels,  penstocks  and 
fixtures  for  utilizing  the  water  power  and  machinery  for  transmitting  the  same  to  the  shops  are 
also  required.  The  cost  of  these  depends  upon  the  plans  employed. 

The  utilization  of  the  five  Armory  shops  at  an  early  day  is  very  important.  I  cannot  say 
that  the  late  war  has  made  the  wisdom  of  utilizing  these  shops  any  more  apparent,  as  I  think 
this  was  impossible.  The  necessity  for  the  Armory,  in  connection  with  our  military  system  of 
not  keeping  a  large  standing  army,  but  of  being  ready  to  make  one  when  required,  is  a  plain 
and  perfectly  apparent  fact.  It  appears  to  me  that  no  experience  could  make  it  plainer  or  more 
apparent.  I  left  at  the  Arsenal  plans  and  estimates  for  the  machinery  for  these  shops.  I  should 
think  that,  roughly,  it  would  not  be  much  less  than  $1,250,000. 


REPAIRING   RIFLES   AND   CARBINES. 


CAPACITY  OF  THE  ARSENAL. 

I  have  always  placed  the  capacity  of  the  five  Armory  shops  at  2,500  rifles,  revolvers  or 
carbines  per  day.  The  adoption  of  magazine  arms  reduces  this  estimate,  but  I  still  think  that 
by  working  two  shifts  of  men  the  output  could  be  made  2,000  per  day. 

The  capacity  of  the  five  Arsenal  shops  south  of  Main  avenue  is  not  easy  to  state,  because 
of  the  great  variety  of  manufactures.  A  part  of  Forging  Shop  E,  three  stories  of  Shop  G,  and 
probably  a  part  of  Shop  H,  would  be  used  for  the  construction  of  field  and  siege  carriages  and 
their  implements  and  equipments.  The  use  of  a  large  part  of  Shop  C,  as  is  done  now,  for 
repairs,  general  work  and  a  harness  shop  would  naturally  continue.  A  large  part  of  Shop  A, 
probably  all  of  the  three  lower  stories,  is  required  for  the  manufacture  of  field,  siege  and  small- 
arm  ammunition,  except  that  the  loading  or  charging  of  the  same  —  that  is,  all  operations 
involving  the  addition  of  the  powder  —  would  be  continued  at  the  laboratory  buildings  on  West 
avenue,  south  of  Shop  A,  which  have  been  mentioned.  The  rest  of  these  buildings,  including 
nearly  all  of  the  top  stories  of  four  of  the  shops,  are  designed  for  harness  and  equipment  work. 
They  require  additions  and  much  fitting  up  to  adapt  them  for  this  work,  but  can  be  made  avail- 
able. Temporary  wooden  buildings  could  be  added  for  this  work  if  necessary,  but  I  think  our 
experience  during  the  past  summer  shows  that  this  would  not  be  necessary.  I  think  this  expe- 
rience has  shown  that  there  would  be  capacity  for  turning  out,  should  it  be  required,  10,000 

90 


sets  of  infantry  equipments,  and  their  complement  of  horse  equipments,  per  day.  The  manu- 
facture of  artillery  harness  would  be  carried  on  in  the  same  shops,  but  so  much  time  is  required 
for  the  manufacture  of  this  harness  that  it  would  be  wise  to  carry  a  part  of  the  harness  on  hand. 

Our  experience  during  the  past  summer  shows  that  the  capacity  for  the  manufacture  of 
small-arm  cartridges  should  not  be  less  than  half  a  million  per  day,  and  it  would  be  better  if  it 
could  be  three-quarters  of  a  million.  The  three  lower  stories  are  ample  for  this,  and  also  for 
the  manufacture  of  the  requisite  amount  of  field-artillery  ammunition. 

I  have  not  the  means  at  hand  of  estimating  the  cost  of  the  machinery  and  for  completing 
the  fitting  up  of  these  five  shops  as  proposed  here,  but  do  not  think  it  would  be  much,  if  any, 
less  than  $600,000.  The  principal  item  would  be  for  machinery  for  manufacture  of  small-arm 
cartridges,  and,  next  to  that,  the  additional  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  carriages,  and 
machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  modern  field-artillery  ammunition. 

The  annual  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  to  the  Secretary  of  War  bears  date 
October  i,  1898.  It  is  a  document  of  far  more  than  ordinary  import  because  it 
covers  the  work  done  during  the  war  with  Spain,  and  makes  suggestions  and  recom- 
mendations in  the  way  of  providing  for  the  future.  In  this  review  General  Flagler 
devotes  more  attention  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  than  in  any  other  report  that  he  has 
made.  Following  are  extracts  : 

For  many  years  the  annual  appropriations  for  these  equipments  ( infantry,  cavalry,  artil- 
lery and  horse)  have  been  barely  sufficient,  with  the  utmost  economy,  to  meet  the  annual 
consumption  of  the  regular  army.  There  was,  therefore,  only  a  small  supply  of  these  equip- 
ments on  hand  at  the  commencement  of  the  war. 

It  has  been  the  plan  of  the  Department  to  be  prepared  to  manufacture  and  supply  the 
equipments  as  fast  as  armies  could  be  raised.  A  portion  of  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  was  con- 
structed for  this  purpose.  It  is  important  to  determine  from  our  experience  in  this  war  whether 
this  plan  is  feasible  for  future  wants. 

Much  credit  is  due  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  for  his  vigorous 
and  efficient  labor  in  installing  the  plant  at  the  Arsenal  and  providing  these  equipments. 
Attention  is  invited  to  his  report.  (The  report  of  Major  Blunt,  here  referred  to,  will  be  found 
on  pages  71-86  of  this  book.)  The  plant  was  installed  and  the  number  of  employes  engaged 
on  the  work  was  increased  from  about  400  on  April  13,  to  about  2,900  on  August  31,  1898.  On 
the  latter  date  the  department  was  turning  out  about  6,000  sets  of  infantry  equipments  per  day. 
The  work  was  commenced  on  April  13,  and  pushed  with  all  possible  dispatch,  and  in  advance 
of  the  appropriations  made  by  Congress  in  the  two  deficiency  bills  of  May  31  and  July  7. 

Funds  were  not  available  for  enabling  the  De- 
partment to  take  any  action  for  increasing  field  artillery 
for  armies  taking  the  field,  until  April  21,  1898.  The 
number  of  batteries  that  could  be  equipped  was  abso- 
lutely fixed  by  the  number  of  modern  field  guns  on 
hand.  There  were  not  enough  carriages  and  harness 
even  for  these  guns,  and  the  manufacture  of  the  car- 
riages and  harness  was  at  once  commenced  at  the 
Rock  Island  Arsenal,  and  pushed  to  the  utmost,  and 
the  same  action  was  taken  in  regard  to  implements 
and  equipments  of  all  kinds  at  this  and  other  Arsenals. 
There  was  a  shortage  of  harness  at  the  outbreak 
of  the  war,  but  the  resources  of  the  Rock  Island  Ar- 
senal enabled  this  to  be  made  up  rapidly  enough  to 
keep  pace  with  the  completion  of  the  carriages  and 
A  LONELY  WAY.  caissons. 


General  Flagler  devotes  two  pages  of  his  printed  report  to  reviewing  the  work 
done  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  adding  the  following  comment : 

On  March  i  the  number  of  employes  was  something  less  than  500,  while  on  July  31  over 
2,900  employes  were  engaged  at  the  Arsenal  in  doing  various  kinds  of  work  there  under- 
taken. No  great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  securing  all  men  to  whom  employment  could  be 
given,  with  the  single  exception  of  harnessmakers,  and,  had  the  magnitude  of  the  orders  to  be 
ultimately  given  been  known  in  advance,  it  is  probable  that  even  these  workmen  could  have 
been  obtained. 

Previous  reports  have  been  made  as  to  the  inadequacy  of  the  post  hospital.  It  is  an  old 
frame  structure,  erected  during  the  Civil  War.  The  inspector-general  has  reported  that  this 
building  is  "utterly  unfit  for  hospital  purposes,  and  not  worth  repairing."  Estimates  have 
been  repeatedly  submitted,  and  are  again  included  this  year.  It  is  really  a  cruelty  to  place  a 
sick  man  in  this  structure. 

The  supervision  of  many  manufactures  at  the  Arsenal  requires  more  assistant  officers. 
The  magnitude  of  the  operations  of  the  Arsenal,  with  its  2,900  employes,  its  night  and  day 
shifts,  purchases  of  material  for  artillery,  cavalry  and  infantry  soldiers,  and  the  inspection  and 
examination  of  equipments  received  from  many  contractors,  has  involved  since  April  i,  1898 
an  expenditure  of  over  $2, 600,000.  (This  was  up  to  the  middle  of  August. )  Additional  quar- 
ters are  required  for  assistants,  and  steps  should  be  taken  to  provide  at  least  two  sets  of 
officers'  quarters. 

A  large  number  of  Springfield  arms  and  other  ordnance  stores  have  been  repaired  at  the 
Arsenal. 

Perhaps  the  most  interesting  feature  of  the  report  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance, 
certainly  so  to  the  readers  of  "  ROCK  ISLAND  ARSENAL  :  IN  PEACE  AND  IN  WAR," 
is  found  in  his  discussion  of  the  Springfield  Armory.  He  says  : 

The  experience  of  the  department  during  the  late  war  with  Spain  has 
emphasized  the  necessity,  frequently  pointed  out  in  my  reports,  of  equip- 
ping another  armory  for  the  manufacture  of  small  arms.  The  utmost 
capacity  that  could  be  provided  at  the  Springfield  Armory  would  be  about 
two  hundred  completed  arms  for  each  eight  hours'  work,  or  about  five 
hundred  per  day,  since  only  two  shifts  of  ten  hours  each  can  be  worked 
with  due  regard  for  economy  and  perfection  of  work. 

A  large  reserve  of  magazine  rifles  should  be  provided  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. To  this  end  the  armory  buildings  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal  should 
be  utilized.  Their  equipment  with  the  necessary  machinery,  which  has 
already  been  begun,  should  be  pushed  to  completion  and  the  manufacture 
of  magazine  arms  commenced. 

The  capacity  of  these  buildings  is  sufficient  for  increasing  the  daily 
output  to  2,000  magazine  arms  per  day. 


92 


COMMANDANTS  AT  THE  ARSENAL. 


'Tis  an  office  of  great  worth, 
And  you  an  officer  fit  for  the  place. — Shakespeare. 


NO  Government  post  in  all  the  United  States  has  been  more  favored  from  the 
beginning  in  the  high  character  and  acknowledged  fitness  of  the  officers 
designated  to  command  it  than  Rock  Island  Arsenal.     The  War  Department  always 
has  regard  for  the  special  qual- 
ifications of  its  officers  in  par- 
ticular lines  of  duty. 

MAJ.  C.  P.  KINGSBURY. 

July  27,  1863,  Maj.  C.  P. 
Kingsbury,  Ordnance  Depart- 
ment, was  assigned  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Arsenal.  Under 
his  direction  the  storehouse  at 
the  western  end  of  the  Island, 
the  first  building  of  the  Ar- 
senal, was  constructed.  This 
building  is  nearly  on  the  site 
of  old  Fort  Armstrong,  and 
the  window  frames  of  the  base- 
ment are  made  of  oak  obtained 
from  the  fort.  During  Major 
Kingsbury 's  command,  which 
lasted  until  June  30,  1865,  the 
military  prison  was  in  use. 
This  proved  an  annoyance, 
and  the  commandant  had 
others  to  contend  with  of  a 
more  or  less  serious  nature  — 
the  railroad  right  of  way,  the  QEN  JHOMAS  ^  RQDMAN 

Contests     of    land     claimants  Commandant  Rock  IslandlArsenal, 

not   the   least   among   them.  August,  1865,  to  June,  1871. 


93 


"1 


GEN.  THOMAS  J.  RODMAN. 

General  Rodman  succeeded  Major  Kingsbury,  assuming  his  duties  August  3, 
1865,  and  his  command  continued  until  his  death,  June  7,  1871.  Of  the  significance 
of  this  appointment  General  Flagler  says  : 

No  better  evidence  could  be  desired  that  the  Ordnance  Department  intended  to  construct 
a  great  Armory  and  Arsenal  at  Rock  Island  than  the  fact  that  an  officer  of  such  high  standing  as 
General  Rodman,  and  one  whose  services  were  so  valuable  to  the  department  in  every  way, 
was  selected  for  the  command. 

General  Rodman  was  a  distinguished  soldier,  a  conscientious  officer,  who  ren- 
dered to  his  country  invaluable  services  in  war  and  in  peace.  He  was  graduated 
from  the  Military  Academy  in  1841 ;  served  at  Allegheny  Arsenal  till  1848.  He  was 
in  command  of  the  Arsenal  in  1854,  and  of  the  one  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana,  in 

1855-56.  Except  while  in 
service  in  the  Mexican  War, 
he  devoted  much  time  to  ex- 
periments in  casting  heavy 
guns  on  hollow  cores.  His  in- 
ventions were  numerous.  The 
first  15-inch  Rodman  gun  was 
completed  in  May,  1860,  and 
attracted  close  attention  in  the 
military  world.  During  the 
Civil  War  General  Rodman 
was  in  command  of  the  Water- 
town  Arsenal.  Many  13  and 
15  inch  Rodman  guns  were 
made  for  the  monitors  and 
forts  along  the  coast.  He 
originated  the  idea  of  making 
heavy  guns  without  prepon- 
derance at  the  breech,  on 
which  plan  all  the  heavy  cast- 
iron  cannon  were  subsequently 
constructed  in  the  United 

States.      In  March,  1865,  he  was  brevetted  lieutenant-colonel,  colonel  and  brigadier- 
general  for  his  services  in  the  Ordnance  Department. 

It  was  February  7,  1866,  that  General  Rodman  submitted  plans  to  the  Chief  of 
Ordnance  comprehending  ten  great  shops,  in  two  rows  of  five  shops  each,  those  on 
the  north  being  designated  for  the  Armory  and  those  on  the  south  for  the  Arsenal. 
These  plans  were  approved,  and  General  Rodman  began  the  execution  of  his  mighty 
work.  He  lived  to  see  his  plans  for  the  Arsenal  materialize  in  the  construction  of 
two  of  the  shops  and  the  quarters  for  the  commanding  officer.  At  the  request  of 
the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  he  was  buried  upon  the  Island,  in  a  sightly  spot  set  apart 
for  that  purpose,  near  the  National  Cemetery.  There  a  modest  shaft  stands. 


GEN.   D.   W.   FLAGLER,   CHIEF  OF  ORDNANCE. 

Commandant  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  1871  to  1886. 


94 


GEN.  DANIEL  W.  FLAGLER. 


General  Rodman's  successor  was  another  eminent  soldier,  one  who  had  made  a 
brilliant  record  in  the  Civil  War,  though  much  younger  and  of  lower  comparative 
rank.  On  recommendation  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  Capt.  D.  W.  Flagler,  then  on 
duty  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  post,  June  15, 
1871.  He  served  until  May,  1886,  when  he  was  sent  to  Frankford  Arsenal,  Phila- 
delphia; a  period  of  nearly  fifteen  years,  or  about  half  the  constructive  stage  of  the 
Arsenal.  Captain  Flagler  fully  comprehended  the  far-reaching  scope  of  the  work 
before  him,  and  gave  it  the  best  years  of  his  life.  It  became  a  part  of  him,  and  he 
was  deeply  attached  to  it.  The  plans,  as  he  received  them,  were  imperfect  in  the 
details  compared  with  the  elaborate  plant  that  has  grown  from  them,  with  the  many 
changes  and  improvements  that  have  been  made.  Inventions  of  practical  value, 
resulting  in  conceded  economy, 
were  applied  by  him.  The 
progress  of  construction  was 
supplemented  by  the  manu- 
facture of  stores  for  the  army. 
The  commandant  proved  that 
ordnance  stores  can  be  manu- 
factured here  and  distributed 
to  the  army  cheaper  than  they 
can  be  fabricated  in  the  East 
and  brought  West.  During 
this  command  eight  shops  were 
entirely  built  —  the  command- 
ing officer's  quarters,  buildings 
for  officers'  quarters,  the  sol- 
diers' barracks,  post  buildings, 
a 'complete  system  of  sewers, 
the  Moline  bridge,  roads, 
streets  and  avenues,  the  water- 
power  wall,  grading  and  orna- 
mentation of  grounds.  During 
the  fifteen  years  the  Arsenal 
was  largely  shaped  and  adapted  to  its  purpose  as  we  see  it  at  this  time. 

General  Flagler  was  born  in  New  York,  March  24,  1835.  His  father's  grand- 
father, Simon  Flagler,  came  from  Holland  in  1735,  and  settled  near  Poughkeepsie, 
New  York,  where  his  grandfather,  John  Flagler,  was  born.  The  general's  father, 
Sylvester  Flagler,  was  born  near  Albany,  and  settled  on  the  Holland  purchase  in 
western  New  York.  He  was  graduated  from  West  Point,  June  24,  1861,  No.  5  in 
his  class.  His  rank  was  second  lieutenant,  captain  in  1863,  major  in  1874,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel in  1 88 1,  colonel,  and  in  1891  brigadier-general  and  chief  of  ordnance. 
His  retiring  year  is  1899.  He  was  promoted  several  times  for  gallant  service  in 


MAJ.   STANHOPE   E.   BLUNT. 

Present  Commandant  Rock  Island  Arsenal. 


95 


CAPT.   O.   B.   MITCHAM. 


battle,  and  likewise  honorably  mentioned. 
His  range  of  service  has  been  wide,  and  he 
participated  in  several  battles  and  skirmishes 
of  the  Civil  War.  He  was  chief  of  ordnance, 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  1862  and  1863  ; 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg.  He  has  held 
commands  at  Augusta  Arsenal,  at  Frankford 
and  Watertown,  aside  from  his  long  term  at 
Rock  Island.  His  wide  experience  in  the 
Ordnance  Department,  his  anticipation  of 
events,  his  scientific  acquaintance  with  modern 
arms  and  the  distinguishing  quality  of  always 
being  ready  have  been  of  inestimable  value. 


COL.  THOMAS  G.  BAYLOR. 

This  officer,  who  had  more  than  won  his 

rank,  whose  gallant  conduct  is  history,  who  had  served  at  Watervliet,  Fort  Monroe, 
and  on  important  boards,  followed  Colonel  Flagler,  June  2,  1886,  and  continued  in 
command  until  December  i,  1888,  when  he  was  assigned  to  Frankford  Arsenal, 
where  he  died,  September  19,  1890.  Colonel  Baylor  was  born  in  Virginia,  May  4, 
1837,  and  graduated  from  the  Military  Academy,  July,  1857. 

COL.  JAMES  W.  WHITTEMORE. 

The   next   commandant   at    Rock    Island   Arsenal  was   Colonel   Whittemore, 
assigned  in    November,   1889,  and  continued  until  March   14,  1891,  when  he  was 
relieved  and  granted  leave  of  absence  for  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he 
was  sent  to  the  United  States  powder  depot, 
Dover,    New  Jersey.      He  served  there  until 
March,  1897,  when  he  was  assigned  to  Frank- 
ford  Arsenal.     Colonel  Whittemore  retires  in 
1900.       He   graduated    from  West    Point   in 
1860,  and  his  meritorious  services  have  been 
deservedly    recognized.      His    command    at 
Rock   Island  Arsenal,    like  that   of  his   suc- 
cessor, was  comparatively  brief. 

COL.  A.  R.  BUFFINGTON. 

Colonel  Buffington  took  command  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1892,  and  retained  it  until  March 
22,  1897,  when  he  was  assigned  to  the  United 
States  powder  depot,  where  he  is  now  serv- 
ing. He  is  a  Virginian,  born  in  1837.  His 

96 


CAPT.   W.   S.   PEIRCE. 


retiring  year  is  1901.  He  served  actively  during  the  Civil  War,  was  commandant 
at  Watervliet,  Indianapolis,  Allegheny,  Baton  Rouge,  Watertown,  Detroit  and  other 
Arsenals.  He  was  an  inventor,  and  one  who  refused  to  accept  private  gain  when  he 
could  be  of  service  to  his  country.  Colonel  Buffington's  name  is  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  barbette  disappearing  gun  carriage,  so  formidable  for  use  in  the 
seacoast  defenses  of  the  country.  His  command  at  Rock  Island,  though  not  long, 
was  marked  by  new  and  important  constructive  work. 


MAJ.  STANHOPE  E.  BLUNT. 

The  three  distinctive  stages  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal  are  those  dealing  with  the 
plans,  the  construction  and  the  operation,  yet  a  clear  separation  is  not  possible,  the 
one  is  so  linked  into  the  other.  But  with  the  first  period  General  Rodman  was 
eminently  connected  ;  with  the  second  and 
the  beginning  of  the  third,  General  Flagler, 
and  with  the  third,  during  the  first  war  the 
Arsenal  was  called  upon  for  extraordinary 
service,  Major  Blunt.  The  present  command- 
ant was  selected  to  operate  the  plant  on  an 
increasing  scale  of  magnitude  when  hostilities 
were  not  imminent,  but  there  is  positive  reason 
to  believe  that  he  met  the  emergency  demands 
in  a  way  to  more  than  satisfy  the  War  Depart- 
ment. 

Major  Blunt  is  given  more  than  ordinary 
prominence,  for  an  officer  of  his  rank,  in  the 
official  publication  known  as  ' '  Records  of 
Living  Officers  of  the  United  States  Army." 
He  was  born  at  the  Boston  Navy  Yard,  Sep- 
tember 29,  1850,  of  distinguished  parentage 
on  both  his  father's  and  mother's  side.  He 

was  graduated  from  the  Oswego  High  School  in  1868,  and  from  West  Point,  June 
14,  1872,  standing  No.  3  in  his  class.  He  was  assigned  to  the  I3th  Infantry,  at  Fort 
Douglas,  Utah,  and  served  in  northwestern  Wyoming  and  the  Yellowstone  Park  until 
March,  1874.  He  was  promoted  and  placed  in  command  at  Fort  Steele,  Wyoming; 
of  Medicine  Bow  ;  and  performed  engineering  duty  in  Colorado  and  New  Mexico 
in  one  of  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  exploring  and  surveying  parties.  He  was  transferred 
to  the  Ordnance  Department  November  i,  1874.  He  was  stationed  at  Frankford 
Arsenal  until  August,  1876  ;  at  the  Military  Academy  to  August,  1880,  acting  as 
instructor  in  mathematics,  ordnance  and  gunnery.  He  was  promoted  to  captain 
August  24,  1880,  the  first  of  his  class  to  reach  that  grade.  He  served  as  chief 
ordnance  officer  and  inspector  of  rifle  practice  at  Fort  Snelling  and  at  army  head- 
quarters at  Washington  to  July,  1888,  as  inspector  of  rifle  practice  and  as  aid-de- 
camp to  General  Sheridan,  with  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  subsequently  with 


LIEUT.  O.  C.   HORNEY. 


97 


THE  COMMANDANT'S   OFFICE. 


rank  of  colonel.  During  this  period  he  was  in  charge  ot  different  army  divisions  and 
department  rifle  competitions,  winning  prizes  and  medals  in  several  matches.  He 
has  been  complimented  in  orders  by  Generals  Sheridan,  Terry  and  Schofield  for 
services  in  connection  with  rifle  practice,  the  last  named  saying  of  Captain  Blunt : 
' '  His  services  in  connection  with  the  development  of  an  effective  system  of  rifle 
practice  in  the  army  have  been  of  the  highest  importance,  and  his  name  will  long  be 
honorably  connected  with  this  great  advance  in  the  military  service  of  the  country. ' ' 
He  was  assistant  at  Springfield  Armory  from  1889  to  1894  ;  at  Watervliet  Arsenal 
from  September,  1894,  to  March,  1897.  In  the  meanwhile  he  served  on  several 
important  boards  of  officers. 

His  "  Rifle  and  Carbine  Firing,"  published  in  1885,  and  "Firing  Regulations 
for  Small  Arms,"  in  1889,  both  prepared  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  are  the 
authorized  guides  for  instruction  in  the  army  and  in  the  national  guard  of  the  differ- 
ent States.  Among  his  other  writings  are  the  article  "Target  Practice,"  1886,  in 
Farrow's  Military  Encyclopedia ;  "Modern  Military  Rifle,"  1893,  read  before  the 
International  Congress  of  Engineers  at  Chicago  ;  the  article  on  ' '  Small  Arms, ' ' 
1895,  w.  Johnson's  Cyclopedia. 

98 


March  25,  1897,  Captain  Blunt  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Rock  Island 
Arsenal.     His  promotion  to  the  rank  of  major  was  made  July  7,  1898. 

TEMPORARY  COMMANDANTS. 

Between  the  relief  of  one  commanding  officer  and  the  assumption  of  command 
by  his  authorized  successor,   Rock  Island   Arsenal   has   been  commanded   by  the 
following  officers  by  virtue  of 
their  rank,    according  to   the 
customs  and  rules  of  the  serv- 


CORNELIUS   J.   BROWN. 

Chief  Clerk  Commandant's  Office  since  1872. 


Maj.  John  R.  McGinness, 
from  November  30,  1888,  to 
November  17,  1889. 

Capt.  Marcus  W.  Lyon, 
from  March  14,  1891,  to  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1892. 

ARSENAL  OFFICERS. 

Capt.  Orin  B.  Mitcham, 
assistant  at  the  Arsenal,  is  an 
officer  of  varied  experience. 
He  is  a  Virginian  by  birth  ; 
was  graduated  from  West 
Point,  June  17,  1874,  and  pro- 
moted to  be  a  second  lieuten- 
ant in  the  4th  Regiment  of  Artillery.  He  served  on  garrison  duty,  Fort  Canby, 
Washington,  nearly  two  years  preceding  March  21,  1876.  He  was  transferred  to 
duty  at  the  Artillery  school  at  Fort  Monroe,  thence  to  garrison  in  South  Carolina,  at 
Washington  Arsenal,  and  again  at  Fort  Monroe.  He  was  assistant  instructor  and 
professor  of  modern  languages  at  the  Military  Academy;  transferred  to  the  Ordnance 

Department  and  promoted  to 
be  first  lieutenant  June  23, 
1879.  He  was  assistant  at 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  two 
years,  from  1881  to  Novem- 
ber, 1883.  For  the  following 
three  years  he  served  in  Wyo- 
ming. He  was  again  at  West 
Point  as  assistant  instructor  in 
gunnery  for  nearly  four  years, 
until  August  28,  1890. 
About  that  time  he  was  pro- 
moted to  be  captain.  He  was 


ASSISTANT   OFFICERS'   ROOMS. 


99 


CIVIL   ENGINEER   W.   OTTO  GRONEN'S   OFFICE. 


assistant  inspector  of  steel  at 
the  Mid  vale  Works,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  assistant  at  the  Water- 
vliet  Arsenal,  and  came  from 
there  to  Rock  Island  four  years 
ago  last  August. 

Capt.  William  S.  Peirce  is 
a  native  of  Vermont,  thirty- 
four  years  of  age.  He  was 
graduated  from  West  Point  in 
June,  1888,  and  commissioned 
second  lieutenant,  2d  Artillery, 
serving  with  that  regiment 
three  and  a  half  years  at  Fort 

Barrancas,  Florida;  Fort  Warren,  Boston  Harbor,  and  Fort  Riley,  Kansas.  January 
15,  1892,  he  was  appointed  first  lieutenant,  Ordnance  Department,  and  served  at  the 
gun  factory,  Watervliet  Arsenal,  for  three  years.  His  next  station  was  the  Proving 
Ground  at  Sandy  Hook,  New  Jersey,  and  the  period  was  two  years,  and  his  duties  were 
connected  with  the  testing  of  heavy  guns,  powders  and  high  explosives.  He  was 
recorder  of  the  board  for  testing  rifled  cannon.  April  24,  1897,  Lieutenant  Peirce 
was  ordered  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  charge  of  the 
machine,  equipment  and  blacksmith  shops  and  foundry.  July  7,  1898,  he  was  pro- 
moted captain. 

Lieut.  Odus  C.  Horney  was  born  at  Lexington,  Illinois,  September  18,  1866. 
He  was  appointed  to  West  Point  from  Ohio,  and  graduated  from  that  academy  June 
12,  1891,  receiving  his  appointment  as  second  lieutenant  of  the  7th  Infantry.  He 
served  with  the  regiment  at  Fort  Logan,  Colorado,  from  1891  to  1893,  being  in 
command  of  Company  E  for  nearly  a  year.  He  was  appointed  first  lieutenant  in  the 
Ordnance  Department  May  2,  1894,  and  since  June  19  of  that  year  he  has  served 
at  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  He  has  had  charge  of  the  carpenter  and  harness  shops 
and  of  the  water-power  im- 
provements. He  is  now  in 
command  of  a  detachment  of 
ordnance  and  hospital  corps. 
Lieut.  Clarence  C.  Williams, 
a  Georgian  by  birth,  graduated 
from  West  Point  with  the  class 
of  '94.  He  was  transferred  to 
the  Ordnance  Department  in 
1895.  Lieutenant  Williams, 
who  has  been  on  duty  in  the 
Philippines,  left  there  for  Rock 
Island  Arsenal  on  October  26. 

GEORGE   DURN1N, 

Paymaster's  clerk,  struggling  with  three 
thousand  names  iust  before  pay  day. 


THE  CIVIL  STAFF. 

Although  the  Arsenal  is  in  charge  of  the  Ordnance  Department,  and  the  com- 
mandant and  associate  officers  are  army  men,  the  thousands  of  employes  in  the 
offices  and  shops  are  from  civil  life.  Commandants,  as  has  been  shown,  come  and 
go,  but  many  of  these  faithful  civilians  remain.  Among  them  are  : 

W.  Otto  Gronen,  who,  in  charge  of  the  drawing  and  engineering  office,  has 
served  under  every  commandant,  beginning  early  in  1870. 
Cornelius  J.  Brown,  who  has  been  chief  clerk  since  1872. 


READY  FOR  FIRE. 


101 


CUBAN   MACHETES. 

(These  weapons,  which  very  evidently  have  seen  service,  were  found  in  a  shipment  from  the  battlefields  about 
Santiago  received  at  Rock  Island  Arsenal.  On  the  unsheathed  machete  to  the  left  are  cut  the  words  "  Troop  C," 
on  the  second  "  J.  C.  Goodwin,  Tempe,  A.  T.  [ArizonaTerritory] ,  U.  S.  A.,"  and  on  the  third  the  initials  "W.  F.  H.") 


102 


REASONS  FOR  CONTINUED  SUPPORT. 


Reasons  strong  and  forcible. — Shakespeare. 


AT  some  length  the  arguments  for  a  more  liberal  support  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal 
by  Congress  have  been  given  in  this  book.     They  may  be  recapitulated  here, 
not  in  the  order  of  their  force,  perhaps,  for  that  is  not  material,  but  essentially: 

1.  The  location  was  se- 
lected after  exhaustive  exami- 
nations  by  army  boards,   and 
that  a  mistake  was  made  has 
never  been  charged.     All  the 
original    reasons    for   the    site 
have  been  strengthened. 

2.  The  location  is  not  only 
central,  but,  on  account  of  this, 
stores  made  here  can  be  sent 
more  quickly  to  their  destina- 
tion,  whether   that    be   north, 
south,  east  or  west.    This  econ- 
omy of  time  might  easily  be  a 
very  serious  matter.     The  fact 
of  the  short  hauling  of  freight 
in  delivering  the  output  is  also 
economy  of  money. 

3.  The   surrounding   and 
contributing    country   for    five 
hundred  miles  is  not  equaled 
in  the  world  for  fertility  —  for 
the  production  of  breadstuffs. 
Hence,   living  nowhere  in  the 


GEN.  NELSON   A.   MILES. 


(The  Commanding  General  of  the  United  States  Army  has  visited 
Rock  Island  Arsenal  since  his  return  from  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico.  He 
expressed  surprise  and  gratification  at  the  extent  and  character  of  the 
work  done  there  during  the  war  with  Spain.) 

United  States  can  be  cheaper. 

4.  The  transportation  facilities  not  only  include,  directly  and  indirectly,  the 
great  railroads,  but  the  Mississippi  River  washes  the  shores  of  Rock  Island,  and  the 
western  terminus  of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal  is  only  three  miles  to  the 
southwest. 


103 


HUNDREDS   OF  SADDLES. 


(Equipment  used  by  Roosevelt's  Rough  Riders.    Shipped  to  Rock  Island  Arsenal  from  Santiago,  Cuba, 

for  repairs  and  to  be  reissued.) 


5.  Coal,  iron,  lead,  copper  and  other  minerals  used  in  the  fabrication  of  stores 
and  munitions  are  within  easy  reach  ;   likewise  lumber  and  leather. 

6.  The  largest  water  power  in  the  country,  Niagara  alone  excepted,  is  avail- 
able, and  a  part  of  it  is  actually  utilized. 

7.  The  military  reservation  on  which  the  Arsenal  is  located  is  owned  by  the 
Government,  and  it  is  the  largest  military  post  in  the  United  States. 

8.  The  Arsenal  shops,  now  practically  finished  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $7,000,000, 
are  the  most  expensive,  the  most  capacious  and  the  best  adapted  to  the  intended 
uses  of  any  in  the  country. 

9.  In  the  crisis  of  1898  the  Arsenal  was  conspicuously  first  in  the  variety  and 
magnitude  of  its  output. 

10.  In  time  of  peace  as  well  as  in  war  Rock  Island  Arsenal  is  the  largest  depot 
in  the  country  for  the  issue  of  supplies  to  the  army. 

1 1 .  The  security  from  attack  by  a  foreign  enemy  is  as  perfect  as  the  Nation 
affords.     The  navy  of  no  foe  can  reach  it,  nor  is  it  possible  for  an  army  of  invasion 
to  approach  it. 

104 


1 2.  The  records  at  the  War  Department  show  that  the  health  of  this  post  has 
been  exceptional  from  the  first.     The  excellent  natural  sanitary  conditions  have  been 
supplemented  by  approved  drainage  systems.     The  climate  is  temperate. 

13.  The  Arsenal  is  in  the  center  of  an  industrial  community  upon  which  calls 
may  be  made  at  any  time. 

14.  While  nearly  $9,000,000   has   been  expended    in  constructing   the  great 
shops,  the  water  power  and  the  bridges,  all  controlled  by  the  Government,  only 
$309,627  has  been  appropriated  for  machinery  and  shop  fixtures.     Because  of  this 
oversight,  acres  of  floor  space  are  idle,  and  work  is  done  at  a  disadvantage. 

15.  A  comparatively  small  present  outlay  would  vastly  add  to  the  effectiveness 
of  the  Arsenal  and  the  economy  of  operating  it. 


THE  ARSENAL  COAT  OF  ARMS. 


105 


THE  ILLINOIS  AND  MISSISSIPPI  CANAL. 


It  is  a  fact  too  well  known  to  require  extended  discussion,  that  water  routes  generally, 
when  they  come  into  competition  with  transportation  by  land,  are  the  most  efficient  and  certain 
regulators  of  freight  charges  known. 

There  is  nothing  so  democratic  as  free  waterways  and  highways  constructed  and  main- 
tained by  the  public  for  the  people. — Captain  W.  L.  Marshall' s  Report,  Chief  of  Engineers, 
U.  S.  A.,  June  21,  1890. 


THE  reasons  which  have  been  and  are  presented  in  support  of  the  construction 
of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal  may  be  thus  summarized: 

i.  Cheap  transportation  to  the  East  is  even  more  an  absolute  necessity  to  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley  than  is  such  transportation  to  the  South.  In  the  direction  of  securing  the 
latter  very  much  has  been  done.  But  the  main  arteries  of  commerce  flow  from  the  West  to 

the  East,  and  from  the  East  to  the  West. 

2.  It  is  the  particular  misfortune  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley  that  it  has  no  share  in  the  vast 
benefits  which  accrue  to  the  lake  region  in  the  matter 
of  competition    and    cheap    transportation,   secured 
through  the  use  of  a  water  route  which  has  its  west- 
ward terminus  at  Chicago  and  its  eastern  in  New  York 
Harbor.     The  potency  of  the  competition  in  freight 
charges  maintained  by  the  water  route  of  the  lakes, 
the  Erie  Canal  and  Hudson  River  stands  confessed. 

3.  The  great  gain  to  the  entire  region  west  of 
Chicago  to  result  from  the  extension  to  the  water- 
route  competition  and  cheapness  to  which  attention 
has  been  directed,  may  be  approximately  estimated  on 
comparison  of  railroad  freight  charges  on  lines  of 
commerce  with  which  water  routes  of  transportation 
come  into  competition  and  those  on  which  no  such 
competition  is  known. 

4.  The    vast    volume   attained    by  the    annual 
cereal  product  of  the  States  directly  tributary  to  the 
Upper  Mississippi  presents  yet  additional  support  to 
the  plea  for  an  all-water  transportation  route  to  the 
East. 

5.  The  fact  that  the  producers  of  the  Northwest 
do  and  must  increasingly  look  to  the  exportation  of 
their  cereals,  provisions,  dairy  products  and  cattle,  as 


L.   L.   WHEELER. 


(Engineer  in  direct  charge  of  the  building  of 
the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal,  under  Maj. 
W.  L.  Marshall,  Corps  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.) 


106 


offering  the  surest  market  and  the  largest  profit,  has  also  great  weight  in  the  argument  urged 
in  behalf  of  the  Hennepin  Canal. 

6.  Scarcely  less  important  to  the  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  region  than  the  export  of  its 
products,  rendered  possible  and  profitable  only  when  cheap  transportation  is  secured,  is  the 
ready  and  inexpensive  delivery  of  its  imports.     The  aggregate  of  these  increases  year  by  year, 
while  it  has  already  reached  proportion  and  value  which  are  literally  immense. 

7.  It  is  essential  to  a  correct  understanding  of  the  demand  for  the  completion  of  the  Illinois 
and  Mississippi  Canal  that  the  fact  be  fully  comprehended  that  Chicago  is  the  natural  and  the 
inevitable  center  of  the  commerce  of  the  entire  Northwest. 

8.  During  the  past  few  years  there  has  resulted  a  radical  change  in  the  methods  of  trans- 
porting cereals.     Grain  is  no  longer  sacked  for  shipment.     Instead,  it  is  carried  in  bulk  from 
the  various  points  in  Minnesota,  Wisconsin  and  Iowa  on  the  Upper  Mississippi ;  the  grain  is 


A   SECTION   OF  THE  CANAL   READY   FOR   WATER. 


oaded  into  barges  in  bulk,  and  in  them  floated  down  to  railroad  elevators,  there  to  be  trans- 
ferred to  railroad  cars  and  carried  to  Chicago,  or  moved  farther  down  the  river  to  St.  Louis, 
there  to  be  transferred  to  larger  barges,  and  in  these  carried  to  New  Orleans.  What  is  needed, 
then,  is  that  grain-laden  barges  shall  be  enabled  to  float  from  any  Mississippi  River  point  direct 
to  Chicago  just  as  originally  placed  in  cargo. 

9.  It  is  not  pretended  by  any  intelligent  advocate  of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal  that 
it  will  or  can  compete  with  the  railroads  in  the  transportation  of  light  freights  or  perishable 
goods. 

10.  So  rapidly  are  increasing  the  yearly  products  of  the  Northwest  that,  as  is  well  known 
to  shippers  and  business  men  generally,  it  has  already  become  a  serious  question,  during  the 
periods  in  which  grain  and  stock  are  being  pressed  forward  to  market,  whether  the  limits  of 
capacity  in  railroad  freight  transportation  have  not  been  nearly  reached. 

107 


ILLINOIS  AND  MISSISSIPPI  CANAL. 
(Lock  36,  second  above  the  Mississippi  River.) 

ii.  The  railroads  cannot  possibly  carry  bulky  and  heavy  freights  as  cheaply  as  these  can 
be  transported  on  canal,  river  and  lake.  This  is  as  true  as  to  the  railroads  which  have  been 
made  the  recipients  of  generous  aid  from  the  General  Government,  through  grants  of  public 
lands  —  which  in  themselves  would  today  constitute  a  princely  domain  —  as  it  is  of  roads  built 
wholly  through  the  investment  of  private  and  corporate  money. — Front  an  Argument  by  the 
late  Edward  Russell,  appearing  in  the  Report  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  U.  S.  A.,  1883. 


The  project  under  which  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal  is  being  built  was 
reported  upon  in  1890,  and  the  total  estimated  cost  as  given  in  that  report  is 
$6,925,960.  The  report  of  1890  was  based  upon  incomplete  surveys,  and  more 
detailed  surveys  have  made  several  important  changes  in  the  project  which  may 
materially  change  the  cost  of  construction. 

The  primary  object  of  this  work  is  to  provide  a  navigable  waterway  from  the 
Upper  Mississippi  River  to  the  Upper  Illinois  River,  and  in  conjunction  with  the 
Illinois  River  and  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal,  to  furnish  a  short  waterway  from 
the  Upper  Mississippi  River  to  Lake  Michigan. 

The  present  distance  from  Rock  Island  Arsenal  to  Chicago  by  water  is  610 
miles.  When  this  canal  is  completed  the  distance  will  be  reduced  to  190  miles,  a 
saving  of  420  miles  from  all  points  on  the  Mississippi  River  above  the  Arsenal. 

The  summit  level  of  the  canal  is  196  feet  above  the  Illinois  River  where  the 
canal  enters  it,  and  96  feet  above  the  Mississippi  River  at  the  mouth  of  Rock  River. 
These  differences  of  level  are  overcome  by  twenty-one  locks  on  the  eastern  slope 
and  by  ten  locks  on  the  western  slope.  In  addition,  one  guard  lock  is  required  on 

108 


the  western  section  and  one  on  the  feeder,  making  a  total  ot  thirty-three  locks.  The 
locks  have  chambers  35  feet  wide  and  170  feet  long,  and  provide  a  depth  of  seven 
feet  over  the  miter  sills. 

The  amounts  appropriated  by  Congress  for  this  work  are  as  follows: 


In  1890, 
In  1892, 
In  1894, 
In  1896, 
In  1897, 
In  1898, 


Total, 


$  500,000 

500,000 

190,000 

45,000 

875,000 

1,427,740 

$3,537,740 


The  estimated  amount  required  to  complete  the  canal  is  $3,388,220. 

With  the  money  appropriated  five  miles  of  canal  at  the  western  or  Mississippi 
River  end  were  built,  and  have  been  in  operation  since  April,  1895.  This  part  of 
the  canal  enables  boats  to  enter  Rock  River  above  the  lower  rapids  and  gives  access 
to  eight  miles  of  river  navigation  which  forms  part  of  the  main  canal  line.  Several 
coal  mines  are  reached  from  this  part  of  Rock  River,  and  the  coal  from  them  now 
finds  a  market  along  the  Mississippi  River. 

On  the  eastern  section  of  the  canal  route  the  earthwork  for  sixteen  miles  is 
finished  and  work  is  in  progress  over  eight  additional  miles.  The  drainage  structures 
for  twenty-four  miles  are  built  and  the  masonry  for  twenty-one  locks  practically 
completed. 


SHOWING  SLUICE  GATES  AND  LOCK  35. 
109 


CANAL  GATES   FROM   FLOOR   OF   LOCK. 


A   STEAMER    WITH   TOW  — IN   THE   CANAL. 


On  the  feeder  the  entire  right  of  way  has  been  secured  and  is  now  being  fenced. 
Contracts  for  eight  miles  of  earthwork  have  been  let,  and  it  is  expected  that  the 
whole  feeder  will  be  under  contract  by  June  30,  1899. 

On  the  western  section,  in  addition  to  the  five  miles  already  in  use,  the  right  of 
way  for  sixteen  miles  has  been  secured  and  all  necessary  lands  described. 

The  most  detailed  description  of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Canal,  however, 
will  not  give  the  reader  so  distinct  an  impression  as  the  excellent  and  accurate  map 
to  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  book.  This  map  was  reproduced  from  a  much 
larger  one,  specially  made  under  the  direction  of  L.  L.  Wheeler,  Assistant  Engineer, 
in  charge  of  field  and  construction  work  from  the  beginning.  This  map  also  shows 
correctly  the  location  of  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  the  surrounding  cities,  the  railroad 
lines  to  the  eastward,  Rock  River  from  its  terminus  to  Dixon,  Illinois — in  fact,  all  the 
territory  immediately  tributary  to  the  canal.  Every  mile  of  the  waterway  can  be 
easily  located  and  all  distances  can  be  computed. 


A   RAFTER    PASSING   ROCK   ISLAND. 


ROCK   ISLAND  —  WHY   SO   CALLED. 


112 


DEERE  &  COMPAFT,  MOLIWE  PLOW  WORKS,  MOLUTE,  ILL.    ESTABLISHED  1847. 

j]HE  largest  plant  in  the  world  for  the  manufacture  of  steel  plows  is  that  of  Deere  &  Com- 
pany, Moline,  Illinois.  Like  many  of  our  great  manufacturing  establishments,  it  had  a 
very  small  beginning.  Its  foundation  was  laid  when,  back  in  1837,  John  Deere,  a  pioneer 
from  Vermont,  began  to  construct  by  hand  a  few  steel  plows  with  which  to  tickle  the  prairies  of 
Illinois.  The  first  slab  of  plow  steel  rolled  in  the  United  States  was  made  for  him,  and  the 
present  plant  was  established  by  him  in  Moline  in  1847. 

Very  few  years  have  passed  since  then  that  have  not  seen  a  material  advance  in  the 
product  of  this  concern,  until  now  there  is  scarcely  a  civilized  spot  on  the  globe  where  agricul- 
ture is  pursued  that  has  not  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  John  Deere  Plows.  Not  only  the 
prairies  of  Illinois  but  the  whole  face  of  mother  earth  has  been  turned  from  sadness  into  joy 
by  their  bright  steel,  and  even  desert  places  have  been  forced  to  yield  abundant  fruitage. 

Already  the  largest  steel  plow  factory  in  this  or  any  country,  the  year  of  1898  has  seen 
some  immense  additions  to  the  plant.  A  smith  shop  150  by  266  feet,  a  grinding  shop  100  by  266 
feet,  with  annex  nearly  half  as  large,  built  entirely  of  steel  and  brick,  with  tile  roofs,  have  been 
added,  which  nearly  doubles  the  capacity  of  these  departments  of  the  works.  These  extensive 
improvements  will  lead  to  others  in  the  near  future.  These  additions  are  equipped  with  all 
modern  conveniences  for  the  economical  handling  of  material,  and  are  the  most  complete  and 
modern  shops  of  their  kind  to  be  found  anywhere  in  this  country. 

The  product  of  this  factory  consists  of  steel  plows  of  all  descriptions,  harrows  and  cultiva- 
tors, the  annual  output  averaging  over  150,000  complete  implements. 

Dealer^  in  all  parts  of  the  country  and  in  foreign  lands  are  glad  to  handle  them,  as  John 
Deere  Plows  are  the  acknowledged  standard  of  the  world  in  this  line  of  manufacture,  and  the 
product  of  this  establishment  never  goes  begging  for  purchasers. 


HE  water  power  described 
in  "Rock  Island  Arsenal: 
In  Peace  and  in  War" 
that  is  not  used  by  the 
Government  is  used  for  generating 
ELECTRICITY  for  LIGHT,  HEAT 
and  POWER  purposes  and  supplied 
to  the  consumers  of  this  commu- 
nity in  units  from  one-sixteenth  to 
one  thousand  horse-power. 

"Electricity  is  Life."     If  in  need 
of  additional  life,  apply  to  the 

Peoples  Power  Company, 

ROCK  ISLAND  and  MOLINE,  ILL. 

Peoples  Light  Company, 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


T.  W.  McClelland  Co. 


MANUFACTURERS    OF 


Sash,  Doors,  Blinds. 


DEALERS    IN 


LUMBER,  GLASS 


BUILDERS'  SUPPLIES. 


304  to  312  flain  Street, 
DAVENPORT,       IOWA. 


J.  W.  ROSS, 

ARCHITECT, 

FORREST  BLOCK, 

DAVENPORT, 

IOWA. 


Designer  of  the  Davenport  City  Hall, 

shown  on  this  page,  and 

Moline  High  School,  on  page  xxix. 


CITY  HALL,  DAVENPORT. 
XXXV 


Telephone  293  .  . 


Jager's 
Etoerp 


213-215-217 

EAST  FOURTH 
STREET. 

Opposite  Kimball  House. 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


BROWN  BESSIE 
MERRY  MAIDEN 


The 

Champion 
Butter 
Cows  of 
the  World. 


BOTH  GRANDDAUGHTERS  OF 

COMBINATION 

who  has  twenty-five  daughters  with  records  ranging  from 
14  to  25  Ibs.  314  oz.  of  butter  in  seven  days  ;  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  granddaughters,  including  BEOWN  BESSIE  and 
MERRY  MAIDEN. 

A  Record  Never  Equaled. 

Brown  Bessie  proved  herself  so  great  a  cow  that  Valancey 
E.  Fuller,  who  handled  her  at  the  World's  Fair  test,  and 
than  whom  there  is  no  better  judge  of  her  capabilities, 
has  made  the  assertion  "  that  with  home  surroundings  in 
a  favorable  year,  and  being  in  as  good  form  as  when  in  the 
World's  Fair  Test  Herd,  with  proper  handling,  he  is  con- 
fident she  is  capable  of  making  1,000  pounds  of  batter  In  a 
year." 

The  Unapproachable  Record  of  BROWN  BESSIE  and 
MERRY  MAIDEN  at  the 

World's  Fair  Dairy  Test 

proclaimed  them  the  greatest  cows  living.  The  blood  of 
Combination  4389  largely  predominates  in  our  herd,  partak- 
ing of  the  line  of  breeding  similar  to  those  in  the  World's 
Champions. 

Diploma  16219,  sire  of  Merry  Maiden,  has  forty  tested 
daughters,  and  was  one  of  the  best  sons  of  Combination 
4389.  Grandsons  of  Diploma  from  tested  dams  for  sale. 
Also  a  few  females.  Write  for  what  is  wanted. 

RICHARDSON  BROS.,  Davenport,  Iowa 


FRANK  H.  MAASS, 

Kimball  House  Livery 

LIVERY  AND  SALE  STABLE. 

\\7-\\9  EAST  FOURTH  STREET, 


Telephone  220. 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


xxxvi 


ESTABLISHED   1872. 


E.  D.  ROBESON  &  SONS, 

RETAIL    DEALERS 

FRESH  AND  SMOKED  MEATS 


CAME,  OYSTERS  AND  POULTRY. 


HOMEMADE  SAUSAGE  A  SPECIALTY. 


MARKETS 


No.  1.    426  Brady  Street,  Davenport. 
No.  2.    Mount  Ida,  Davenport. 
No.  3.    Moline,  111. 


No.  4.    Davenport  Meat  Go. 

No.  §.    Crescent  Market,  Davenport. 


AUGUSTANA  COLLEGE,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


TELEPHONE,   139. 


A.  J.  SMITH  &  SON 


INCORPORATED. 


FURNITURE,       MANTELS, 
CARPETS,  TILES  AND 

DRAPERY,          GRATES. 


123  AND    125    WEST    THIRD    STREET 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


W.  S.  HOLBROOK, 

FURNITURE,    CARPETS 

OILCLOTHS,  MATS, 
WINDOW  SHADES,  ETC. 


103,  105  AND  107  EAST  SECOND  STREET, 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA 


H.  L.  HUEBOTTER,  President. 
A.  HENIGBAUM,  Secretary. 


F.  G.  HENIGBAUM,  Vice-President. 
W.  J.  HENIGBAUM,  Treasurer. 


Davenport  Furniture  and  Carpet  Co. 

FURNITURE. ..CARPETS 
AND  STOVES. 

LARGEST  DEALERS  OF  OUR  KIND. 


324,  326  and  328  Brady  Street, 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


.The  Central  Book  Store 


THOMAS  THOMPSON, 


Books, 
Stationery, 


Wall  Paper,  Picture  rrames, 
Etc. 


Corner  of  Bradv  and  Third  Streets, 
D7WENPORT,  IOWA. 


Sine 


anb 


E.  M.  WHITE'S 
BOOKSTORE 

4O6   BRADY  STREET, 
DAVENPORT,   IOWA. 


"  Rock  Island  Arsenal :  In  Peace  and 
in  War"  sent  prepaid  to  any  address  upon 
receipt  of  price,  50  cents  in  paper,  $1.00 
in  cloth  binding. 


MOLINE  PUBLIC  HOSPITAL 


I.  L.  SEARS  W.  L.  FRIZZELL.  S.  H.  SEARS. 


Sears-Frizzell  Co* 


DEALERS     IN 


Leather,  Saddlery  Hardware, 
Harness  and  Findings. 


MANUFACTURERS    OF 


HORSE  COLLARS,  SADDLES  AND  HARNESS. 

218,  220  and  222  Perry  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


H.  W.  COOPER, 

MANUFACTURER  OF 

Saddlery  Hardware  and  Patent  Specialties 


MOLINE,  ILLINOIS. 


1.  Tongueless  Cavalry  Halter  Buckle,  iJ4  inches. 

2.  Cavalry  Halter  Bolt,  1%  inches. 

3.  Cavalry  Halter  Square,  i1/  by  \%  inches. 

4.  Cavalry  Halter  Buckle,  iya  inches. 


5.  Cavalry  Halter  Ring,  \%  inches. 

6.  Cavalry  Halter  Swivel  Ring,  i^i  inches.    Loop,  i'/» 

inches. 

7.  Cavalry  Stirrup  Buckle,  i%  inches. 


xl 


J.  AND  M.  ROSENFIELD, 

WHOLESALE  DEALERS  IN 

SADDLERY  HARDWARE, 

LEATHER,  SHOE  FINDINGS,   HIDES, 
WOOL  AND  FURS. 

1624,  1626  AND  1628  SECOND  AVE.  ROCK    ISLAND,    I  L,L. 


L.  C.  CHA: 


Manufacturers- 


Tbree-Horse-Head 


"CHASE"  Plush 


and 


SCOTT  COUNTY  COURTHOUSE,  DAVENPORT,  IOWA, 
xli 


F.  L.  SNELL,  President. 


ED.  BBRQER,  Sec'y  and  Treas. 


Iowa's  Greatest  Shoe  House. 

=  HIGH-GRADE    POOTWEAR  = 

Cor.  Second  and  Harrison  Streets,    .    DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


S.  A.  JENNINGS, 

President  and  Manager. 


I.  H.  SEARS, 

Vice-President. 


W.  H.  HAIGHT, 

Secretary  and  Treasurer. 


Davenport  Woolen  Mills  Co. 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 


FINE  WOOLENS  AMD  CLOTHING 


18,000  Blankets  Furnished  the 
Government  in  1898. 


Heavy  Goods  for  trje 

&  Specialty 


xlii 


Louis  A.  OCHS.  JOSEPH  OCHS. 

Established  1856. 


JOHN  OCHS'  SONS, 

Land  and  Real  Estate  Brokers, 

126  Main  Street,  DflVBNPORT,  lOWfl. 


Island 
and  cMoline 

WealEstate 

EDWARD  H.  GUYER, 
Island,  EL 


ARMORY  HALL,  ROCK  ISLAND. 

xliii 


I 


5*  CIGAR 

AHEAD  OF  EVERYTHING. 


Established  1854. 


Incorporated  1897. 


Otto  Albrecht  Co, 

CIGARS 


Manufacturers 
of 


-and- 


Wholesale  Tobacconists, 

306  West  Second  Street, 

-^DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Established  18S4. 


oo 


Msilkeirs  off  Fme 


A  THE  N.KUHNEN  CO..  DAVENPORT.  IOWA. r 


xliv 


ESTABLISHED   1868. 


Bason's  Carriage  Works, 


MANUFACTURERS    OF 
AND    DEALERS    IN 


PLEASURE  AND  \/C|-|  1/^*1   PC 
BUSINESS   V  LI  llVsLCO 


HARNESS, 
ROBES,  ETC. 

119, 121, 122  and  124  East  Fourth  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Manufacturers  of  Mason's  Patent 
Runner  Attachments. 


G.  F.  NEUMAN. 


Telephone,  No.  I6S. 

EBI  &  NEUMAN, 
Founders  and  Machinists 

Manufacturers  of 
THE  E.  &  N.  FEED  MILL 

Corner  Front  and  Gaines  Streets, 
Davenport,  Iowa. 


We  make  a  specialty  of  Engines,  Boilers, 
Steam  Pumps,  House  Columns,  Iron  Stairs,  Pul- 
leys, Hangers,  Shaftings,  Fire  Fronts,  Grate  Bars;  and 
every  variety  of  Cast-Iron  and  Mill  Work 
done  on  short  notice. 


UNITARIAN  CHURCH,  MOLINE. 
xlv 


Here's  one  of  our  best  sellers*    It's  a  beauty* 
and  we  have  many  others* 


THE    HOME    RIVERSIDE    RANGE. 


Cast  and  Steel  Ranges  of  all  sizes  and  styles,  and  a 
full  line  of  Hard  and  Soft  Coal  Heaters. 

.  .  Our  Specialty  is  FINE  GOODS .  . 
.  All  RIVERSIDES  are  Guaranteed  . 


T^*Tlr^*Ylrlr*^Y^ 

xlvi 


Established  for  20  Years. 


The  acme  of  perfection  attained  in 
Heating  Apparatus  for  all  classes  of 
buildings, 

Hot  Water, 
Hot  Air 

and 

Steam. 


The  Davenport  Steam  Heating  Co. 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Dealers  in  ARTISTIC  GAS,  ELECTRIC  and  COMBINATION  FIXTURES 
and  HIGH-GRADE  PLUMBING  GOODS. 


DAVENPORT  WATER  COMPANY, 
i.    Pumping  Station  No.  2  and  Reservoir.  2.    Mechanical  Filter  Plant  at  Station  No.  i. 

xlvii 


J.  B.  PHELPS,  President. 
W.  C.  HAYWARD,  Secretary. 
J.  L.  ILES.  Treas.  &  Gen.  Mgr. 

Riverside  Milling  Co, 


MANUFACTURERS    OF 


Hard  Wheat  Flour  Exclusive. 

DEALERS   IN 

GRAIN  AND  FEED  OF  ALL  KINDS. 

804  to  820  East  Front  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


RIVERSIDE  MILLING  CO. 

By  patronizing  home  industry 
labor  receives  employment  and 
earns  its  daily  bread. 

OUR  FLOUR  HAS  NO  SUPERIOR. 


BARNARD  &  LEAS  MFG.  Co. 


MOLINE,  ILL,  U.  S.  A. 


MANUFACTURERS  OF 

Roller  Mills,  Roller  Peed  Mills, 
Plansifters, 

Plansifter  Scalpers,  Reel  Scalpers,  Flour  Dressers, 

Centrifugal  Reels,  Air-Belt  Purifiers 
and  Dust  Collectors  Combined,  Sieve  Purifiers, 
Air-Belt  Sieve  Purifiers  and  Dust  Collectors  Com- 
bined, Bran  Dusters,  Grain-Cleaning 

Machinery,  Malt  Cleaners, 

Flour,  Bran  and  Cotton  Seed  Hull  Packers, 

Victor  Corn  Shelters  and  Cleaners,  Little  Victor 

Combined  Shellers  and  Cleaners, 
Shafting,  Couplings,  Hangers,  Iron  Pulleys,  Wood 

Split  Pulleys,  Rice  Hullers, 

Plantation  Rice  Mills  and  Rice  Reels, 

Rice  Separators,  Rice  Scourers. 


AND    BUILDERS   OF 


RICE  MILLS,  FLOUR  MILLS  AND  ELEVATORS, 

Embracing  the  most  complete  line  of  Flour-Mill  Machinery,  Rice-Mill  Machinery 
and  Grain-Cleaning  Machinery  for  Mills  and  Elevators  of  any  House  in  the  World. 


xlviii 


MAKERS  OF 


PRACTICAL 
READY-MIXED 


<PA  I  NTS 


AND  JOBBERS 
OF  ALL 


Painters'  Materials. 


THE  ONLY  PAINT  MANUFACTURERS  IN  IOWA. 


.  E.  PHERIS,  Manager. 


LINCOLN  SCHOOL  BUILDING,  ROCK  ISLAND. 


xlix 


1 


ind  Co. 

ROCK  ISLAND,  ILL. 


. 


A  QENKMANN 

H  RiESENBERG 


J.  P.  WEYERHAEUSER 

R.C.IMSE 


IB,  DOORS,  |yiiPSfj||OULDlN«SftiC. 


J.  E.  LINDSAY,  President. 


J.  B.  PHELPS,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 


eCindsay  &  S^helps  Co. 

Lumber  ^Manufacturers 


^DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


THB 


MANUFACTURERS   OF 


UI1  R0b(rt$ 
•  I  /•  I  \  - 


Case  and  Federal  Streets, 


'  Bli!td$'  nioldings,  Stair  Ulork, 

PORCH  WORK,  FINE  INTERIOR  FINISH,  ETC. 


Established  186S. 


We  manufacture 

Estimates  made  from  Architects'  Plans.         Hn  especially  Tine 
First-Class  Work  and  Low  Prices.  Cin<  «*  Tront  Doors 

Special  Work  of  Any  Kind.  At  Very  Low  Prices. 


Chr.  Mueller  &  Sons, 


Manufacturers  of 


Lumber,  Lath  and  Shingles 


Saw  and  Planing:  Mills  and  Yard : 

Corner  Second  and  Scott  Streets. 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


BOX  MATERIAL, 

yf-,>  BOX    SHOCKS. 

1  '^FRUITS  VEGETABLE  CRATES  OF  ALL  KINDS. 


CRESCENT  CITY,  FLA 


EDWARD  H.  SLEIGHT,  Prest  &Trea's. 


HENRY  M.LAGE,  Secy. 


MOLINE.    ILLINOIS. 


RED  JACKET  MFG.  CO 


So  Easy  to  Fix" 


-EXCLUSIVE    MANUFACTURERS    OF- 

OPEN     WELL 
BORED       « 
DRIVE 
TUBULAR" 
CASED        " 


"Red  Jacket"  Tumps 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA,  U.S.A. 


WM.  EDWARDS,  President. 

A.  A.  ARNOULD,  Vice-President. 


A.  W.  VANDER  VEER,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
GEO.  T.  BAKER,  Manager  and  Chief  Engineet. 


Edwards  &  Walsh  Construction  Company, 

ENGINEERS,  CONTRACTORS  AND  BUILDERS. 

CONSTRUCTORS    OF 

Ra.fava.ys,  Earthwork,  Masonry,  Sewers,  Street  Pawing,  Building,  and  all  Public  Improvements. 

PLANS,   SPECIFICATIONS  AND   ESTIMATES   PREPARED. 


35  MASONIC  TEMPLE, 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Hi 


EL-ECTRIO 

Elevators 


Passenger 


SPECIAL  MACHINERY.    DUMB  WAITERS. 

MANUFACTURED   BY 

Moline  Elevator  Co. 

MOLINE,  ILL. 
Correspondence  Solicited. 


RCINC  MACHI 


MOLINA.  ILLS 


(OAI    (".HI;  1 1  s  FOR 

(OAUNO  [pCOMOTlVES. 


j 


•#-RocJ*  Island, 111. 


MARKERS.  ETC 


CLARISSA  C.  COOK  HOME  FOR  WOMEN,  DAVENPORT. 

liii 


Bettendorf  Metal  Wheel  Co. 

Davenport,  Iowa,  and  Springfield,  Ohio. 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA,  FACTORY. 


-Manufacturers  of- 


STRAIGHT  AND  STAGGERED  SPOKE 

METAL  WHEELS 


For  AH  Purposes. 


Also  METAL  WAGON  WHEELS  for  Farm  Work  and  Heavy  Hauling. 

4,000,000  Bettendorf  Wheels  now  in  use. 
Write  for  Prices  and  Descriptive  Circular. 

DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

liv 


Factory,  Southeast  Corner 

Fourth  and  Farnam  Streets. 


•YLVAN  STEEL  C 


G.  WATSON  FRENCH, 

President. 

NATHANIEL  FRENCH, 
Vice-president. 


-MANUFACTURERS- 


J.  W.  ATKINSON, 

Secretary  and 
Treasurer. 

G.  H.  TATNAL, 

Superintendent. 


gfiffiglfflF 


CORN    PLANTER  WORKS. 


Iv 


MOLINE' 
ILL. 


, 
ENTIRE  ILLUSTRATIVE 

©INTENTS  OK 


ROCtv 


ARSENAL 


ENGRAVED 


CMtCRFULLY  fURNISHCD 

ON 

APPLICATION 


ENGRAVERS  BVALL  PROCESSES 


-u* 

•^••:—  -       ? 


Ivi 


Printers, 
Embossers, 


Blank  BooK 
Makers. 


212-214  MONROE  STREET,  CHICAGO,  ILL 


E  make  a  specialty  of  the  higher  grades  of  catalogue 


ISLAND 
RSENAL 


IN 

PEflCE 

AND  IN 

WAtL, 


On  receipt  of 
price, 

J\  Copy  of 
this  Book 

Witt  be  sent, 
postpaid,  to 
any  address 
in  the 
United 
States. . . . 


CK  ISLAND 
ARSENAL 


IN 

Pt 

AND  IN 


Dark-Green  Cloth  Cover,  <with  Gold-Leaf  Design, 
In  Strong  Paper  Binding, 


LOCK  BOX  405. 


B.  F.  TILLINGHAST, 

• Davenport,  Iowa. 


Ivii 


I.NEGAR 

!    AND 


DIOKLING 

WORKS 


ESTABLISHED    1864. 
INCORPORATED    1882 


STEEL -GEAR  FARM  WAGON. 


STEEL  TONGUE. 
STEEL  BRAKE. 


STEEL  TRIMMINGS 
ON  BOX. 


LIGH1 
RUNNING. 


LIGHT 
WEIGHT. 


THE  ONLY  STEEL-GEAR  WAGON  ON  THE  MARKET. 

FOR  FULL  PARTICULARS  WRITE 

Bettendorf  Axle  Company, 


No.  020  Ripley  Street, 


DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Iviii 


Are  you  desirous  of  getting  a  good  deal  of  pleasure  in  life 
without  a  great  cash  outlay?  Then  let  us  furnish  you  with  a 
CAMERA  or  a  GUN.  Equipped  with  either,  you  can  enjoy  many 
a  pleasant  hour. 

We  have  the  largest  stock  of 

CAMERAS,  GUNS,  SPORTING 
GOODS  and  NOVELTIES 

in  the  city,  and,  when  passing  our  corner,  we  hope  you  can  spare 
the  time  to  look  our  goods  over. 

BERG  BROS. 

Cor.  Third  and  Harrison  Sts.      Davenport,  Iowa. 


The  Empire  Portable  Forge. 

7USODIPIBD     FOR     KR7BSV    PURPOSES. 

Removable  pipe  legs ;  supplementary  flanges  for  deepening  fire  pan ;  all  shaft 
bearings  made  of  bronze ;  fan  operated  without  belts ;  blast  and  fire  capacity 
sufficient  to  weld  2-inch  iron  or  steel. 

Packed  in  case  with  full  set  of  Farrier's  Tools. 

Height  of  forge  to  too  of  fire  pan,  27^  inches  ;  weight,  62  Ibs.;  fire  pan,  i8J£ 
inches  long,  13}^  inches  wide,  4%  inches  deep ;  fan,  7  inches  in  diameter. 

Iron-bound  Case,  20%  inches  long,  17%  inches  wide,  125^  inches  deep,  weight 
32  Ibs.,  containing  the  following  tools:  one  i2-inch  bastard  file,  one  rasp,  three 
hammers,  one  pair  tongs,  one  pair  pincers,  one  chisel,  one  hoof  trimmer,  one 
rest,  two  punches,  one  S  wrench,  two  knives,  one  vise,  one  hardy,  one  shovel,  one 
poker;  weight  of  tools,  20^  Ibs. 

Total  weight  of  Forge,  Case  and  Tools,  114%  Lbs. 

Manufactured  EMp,RE  PORTABLE  FORGE  CO.,  Unslngburg.  N.Y.,  U.S.A. 


MASONIC  TEMPLE,  DAVENPORT. 


lix 


ROCK  ISLAND  ROUTE. 

Best  Dining-Car  Service  in  the  World 


And  everybody 
patronizing  the  line 
appreciates  this  fact. 


The  Equipment 
consisting  of  new 
Elegant  Sleepers, 
Buffet= Smokers, 
Reclining  Chair  Cars 
between 


Chicago  and  Omaha,  Denver, 
Colorado  Springs  and  Pueblo 

Is  of  latest  pattern  and  in  every  respect  the  best. 


TAKE  NO  OTHER  LINE  TO  KANSAS  CITY,  FT.  WORTH, 
AND  OTHER  TEXAS  POINTS. 

JOHN   SEBASTIAN,   GENERAL  PASSENGER  AND  TICKET  AGENT,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

Ix 


DAILY  TllROllOn  TRAINS 

PULLMAN  PALACE  SLEEPING  CARS 
T0    CHICAGO. 
ST.LOUI*. 


ST.  PAUL 


DIRECT  LINE 

UNEXCELLED  SERVICE 


J.MORTON, 
O.R  M.A. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS.  IOWA. 


Island  8 


IS  AFFORDED 
BY  THE 


Cwo  Craine  Daily. 


R.  STOCKHOUSE, 

General  Passenger  Agent 


Depot:  Foot  20th  Street, 

ISLAND,  ILL. 


Ixi 


Builington 
Route 


BEST  LINE 


DENVER 


Si  PAUL  ^MINNEAPOLIS 

LIMITED  EXPRESS 

THE    FINEST  TRAIN    IN  THE  WORLD 
LEAVES   CHICAGO    DAILY  AT  6.3O  P.M. 


Burlington 
Route 


BEST  LINE 

STJMUL 

HIHNEAPOIIS 


BEST  LINE 


OMAHA 


BEST  LINE 

COUNCIL 
BLUFFS 


BEST  LINE 

PUGET 
SOUND 


BEST  LINE 


BEST  LINE 


Burlington 
Route 


BEST  LINE 


Burlington 
Route 


BEST  LINE 


MONTANA 


1    \ 

V  V 


BEST  LINE 


TEXAS 


Ixii 


Chicago.  Milwaukee  $  $t  Paul 

With  Us  6,150  miles  of  thoroughly  equipped  road, 
reaches  all  principal  points  in, 

Northern  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minnesota, 

South  Dakota,  North  Dakota  ancf 

Northern  Michigan, 

Eltlfe  Running  Electric-Lighted  and  Steam-Heated  Vestibule  Trains. 

AH  Coupon  Ticket  Agents  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  sell  tickets 
via  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  R'y» 


GEO.  H.  HEAFFORD, 

General  Passenger  Agent,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


pLORlDA 

CUBA 


are  best  reached 
via  the 


Plant  System 

of  Railways  and 
Steamships 


H.  B.  PLANT,  President, 
12  West  23d  Street,  NEW  YORK. 

B.  W.  WRENN,  Passenger  Traffic  Manager, 
SAVANNAH,  QA. 

L.  A.  BELL,  Western  Passenger  Agent, 

205  Clark  Street,  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Che  Popular  Route  to  the  Southland.  « 

The  Louisville  £r 
Nashville  Railroad 


Is  the  Tourist's  Ideal  Route  to... 


Evergreen,  Ala. 
Mobile,  Ala. 
DeFuniak  Springs,  Fla. 
Ocean  Springs,  Miss. 
Biloxi,  Miss. 
Bay  St.  Louis,  Miss. 
Pass  Christian,  Miss. 
Mississippi  City,  Miss. 
New  Orleans,  La. 
San  Antonio,  Tex. 
Galveston,  Tex. 
Thomasville,  Ga. 


Pensacola,  Fla. 
Jacksonville,  Fla. 
St.  Augustine,  Fla. 
Tallahassee,  Fla. 
Winter  Park,  Fla. 
Sanford,  Fla. 
Tampa,  Fla. 
Punta  Gorda,  Fla. 
De  Leon  Springs,  La. 
Lake  Worth,  Fla. 
Mexico. 
California. 


And  all  Points  Noted  and  Sought  for 
Health  and  Pleasure. 

C  P.  ATMORE, 

General  Passenger  Agent,  LOUISVILLE,  KY. 


Ixiii 


MERCY  HOSPITAL,     - 


~    Davenport,  Iowa, 


FRONT  VIEW  OF  MAIN  BUILDING. 


THE   NEW   BUILDING. 

The  new  addition  to  the  hospital  is  especially  arranged  for  the  accommodation  and  comfort  of  surgical  cases. 
Several  suites  of  rooms  are  provided  with  private  baths  and  adjoining  rooms  for  private  nurses  or  attendants.  It  is 
finished  throughout  with  glass  and  tile,  and  contains  all  the  modern  apparatus  necessary  for  the  best  surgical  work. 

Ixiv 


AUG.    STEFFEN, 


WHOLESALE 


226-228-230  West  Second  Street, 
Cor.  Harrison  Street. 


Dry  Goods, 
Notions, 


Furnishing 
Goods. 


Lowest  Prices  Guaranteed. 

Special  Attention  Given 
Mail  Orders. 


TOAAf  A 
,    lU  W  A. 


NEW  YORK  OFFICE:  335  Broadway. 


SAENGERFEST  HALL,  DAVENPORT. 

Ixv 


o 


WHOLESALE  DRUGGISTS, 


H.  S.  HEPBURN. 
J.  B.  HOSTETLER. 


HEPBURN  &  HOSTETLER, 


Supplies 


320  Brady  Street... 


DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


FRANK  NADLER,  President. 

W.  J.  DOYLE.  Vice-President  and  Treasurer. 
W.  B.  MUNRO.  Secretary. 


HSR!  an    ..»«•.•'• 
FRANK    NADLER    CO. 

WflOLESflLE  DRUGGISTS 
and  MflflUFflGTURING  GtiEMISTS, 

S.  E.  Cor.  Brafly  and  Fonrtl  streets,     DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 

J.  B.  HOSTETLER,  President. 
M.  L.  HOSTETLER,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

Jarvis  White  Art  Co. 

..PHOTOGRAPHERS.. 


Moldings,  Pictures,  Portraits, 
Art  Goods. 

320  Brady  Street, 
DAVENPORT,  IOWA. 


Ixvi 


-  Grain  Co. 

'>'"v"' 


»  Rothschild  6rain  Co. 


a  Specialty. 


Davenport,  Iowa.          General  Grain 


ILLINOIS  WESTERN  HOSPITAL  — FRONT  VIEW. 
(Four  miles  east  of  Moline.) 

Ixvii 


OOOOOOOOOOOOO<XXXKX>OOO<WMX>OO< 

Rock  Island's  and 
Davenport's 
Popular  Clothiers. 

1T29  Second  Avenue, 
ROCK  ISLAND, 
ILL 

1 15-1  IT  West  Second  Street, 
DAVENPORT, 
IOWA. 


Exterior  View  of  Davenport  Store. 


WHITAKER  BLOCK,  CORNER  THIRD  AND  BRADY  STREETS,  DAVENPORT. 

Ixviii 


INDEX  TO  CONTENTS. 


Allison,  Hon.  W.  B., 25 

Allison,  Hon.  W.  B.,  quoted,      ...      65 

Appropriations 5°-53 

Arsenal,  Allegheny,  Pa., 49 

"        Augusta,  Ga., 49 

"        Benicia,  Cal., 49 

"        Columbia,  Tenn.,       ....       49 

"        Carlisle,  Pa., 45 

"        Fort  Monroe,  Va.,     ....      49 

"        Frankford,  Pa., 47 

"        Kennebec,  Maine,      ....      49 

"        New  York  City, 49 

"  Rock  Island,  3,  50,  85,  86,  103,  105 
"  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  ....  49 
"  Springfield,  Mass.,  ....  45 
"  Watervliet,  N.  Y.,  ....  48 
"  Watertown,  Mass.,  ....  48 

Arms,  Small 74 

Armstrong,  Fort, 19,  20 

Authority  for  Illustrations,       ....         i 

Avenues,  Island, 38 

Banks,       13 

Banking  Capital, 14 

Barracks,  Prisoners',       .....      33, 34 

Barracks,  Soldiers', 52 

Baylor,  Col.  T.  G.,  Sketch  of,  ...  69 
Benet,  Gen.  S.  V.,  quoted,  ....  3 
Bell,  Capt.  William,  Report  by,  .  .  27 

Birds,  Island 39 

Black  Hawk,  Island  Resort  of,     ...       16 

Black  Hawk  War, 20 

Blunt,  Maj.  S.  E.,  Sketch  of,  .  .  .  97,98 
Blunt,  Maj.  S.  E.,  Annual  Report  of,  70-86 

Bridges, 6,  7,  9 

Bridge  Traffic, 10 

Brown,  Cornelius  J.,        101 

Buckingham,  Gen.  C.  P., 28 

Buffington,  Col.  A.  R.,  Sketch  of,  .  96,97 
Calkins,  J.  E.,  Photographer,  ...  i 
Canal,  Illinois  and  Mississippi,  .  .  .  106 
Canal,  Cost  of, 108 


Canal,  Appropriations  for,       ....  109 

Capacity,  Arsenal 90 

Carriages,  Field  and  Siege,      ....  73 

Cemetery,  National, 40 

Cholera,  Asiatic 21 

Contract  Work,  Cost  of, 85 

Congress,  Act  of, 50 

Danforth,  J.  B., 23 

Davenport,  City  of, 15 

Davenport,  George, 17,  22 

Davenport,  Col.  William, 21 

Davis,  Jefferson 28 

Dams,  Water-Power, 56 

De  Tocqueville,  quoted, 3 

1  )odge,  Hon.  A.  C 28 

Drives,  Island 38 

Drum,  Thomas  L 23 

Employes,  Number  of, 71 

Employes,  Efficient, 82 

Expenditures,  Arsenal 71 

Flagler,  Gen.  D.  W.,  History  by,     .     .  40 
Flagler,  Gen.  D.  W.,  Annual  Report, 

1898 91,  92 

Flagler,  Gen.  D.  W.,  Sketch  of,       .     .  95 

Flagler,  Gen.  D.  W.,  Interview  with,     .  91 

Foremen,  Day,       ........  67 

Foremen,  Night 69 

Future,  Plans  for,  .     .     .     ......  87 

Gaines,  General,    ..;.....  20 

Gregg,  Dr.  P 34 

Gronen,  W.  Otto,       101 

Grounds,  Burying, 35 

Gun  Carriages,      %'•.*.. 67 

Hoffman,  Brig.-Gen.  William,      ...  34 

Horney,  Lieut.  O.  C., 100 

Illustrations,  List  of, 31,  32 

Jesup,  Quartermaster-General,     ...  28 

Johnson,  Col.  A.  J., 34 

Kingsbury,  Maj.  C.  P.,  Sketch  of,    .     .  93 

Lawrence,  Colonel 17 

Lee,  Lieut.  Robert  E., 55,  57 


Ixix 


INDEX  TO  CONTENTS  —  Continued. 


Location  of  Arsenal 25 

Lyon,  Capt.  M.  W., 99 

Mahan,  Capt.  A.  T., 43 

Magazine,  Powder, 52 

Moline,  City  of, 14 

Machetes,  Cuban,       102 

McGinness,  Maj.  J.  R., 99 

Marshall,  Capt.  W.  L., 106 

Miles,  Gen.  Nelson  A., 103 

Mitcham,  Capt.  O.  B., 99 

Mounds,  Burial, 41 

Newspapers, 13 

Ordnance,  Chief  of,  Report  for  1898,     91,  92 

Output,  The  Arsenal's, 83 

Patterson,  George,  Master  Machinist,    .  82 

Pay  Roll,        81 

Peirce,  Capt.  William  S., 100 

Population,  Center  of, 5 

Power,  Water, 55,  56 

Prison,  Military, 31 

Prisoners,  Number  of, 35 

Privileges,  Island,       40 

Products,  Variety  of • .     .  66 

Railroads, 12 

Ramsay,  General,  Chief  of  Ordnance, 

quoted, 25 

Reynolds,  Capt.  C.  A., 31 

River,  Mississippi, n 


Rock  Island,  City  of, 14 

Rock  Island,  History  of,      ....      16,  17 

Rock  Island,  Features  of, 37 

Rodman,  Gen.  T.  J.,  Sketch  of,   .     .      93,94 

Russell,  Edward,  quoted, 108 

Rush,  Col.  R.  H.,       34 

Scott,  Gen.  Winfield  S., 21 

Scope  of  Arsenal,       3 

Slaymaker,  H.  Y., 23 

Shops,  Size  of, 51 

Shoemaker,  Capt.  W.  R., 23 

Smith,  Gen.  Thomas  A., 17 

Stores,  Received  and  Issued,       .     .      83-85 

Street  Cars, 12 

Street,  General,  Indian  Agent,     ...  22 

Support  of  Arsenal,  Reasons  for,      .     .  103 

Taylor,  Col.  Zachary, 20 

Telephones,       12 

Trees,  Variety  of,       37 

War,  The  Arsenal  in, 65 

Water  Power, 55,  56 

Watson,  Doctor 34 

Wheeler,  L.  L., 106 

Whittemore,  Col.  J.  W.,  Sketch  of,       .  96 

Williams,  Lieut.  C.  C., 100 

Winkless,  Thomas, 35 

Work  by  Contract 81 


1.      THE   NEW   MODEL   SPRINGFIELD. 


2.      FOR   THE   KRAG-JORGENSEN. 


Ixx 


INDEX  TO  ADVERTISEMENTS. 


PAGE. 

Agricultural  Implements,  .     .    xxi,  xxiii,  Iv 
Architect,      .     .  ,  .  X'  .     .     .     .     .         xxv 

Ranks,      .     .     .     .   vjjr ii,  ix 

Rooks  and  Magazine^ xxxix 

Roots  and  Shoes,  .    V r  .     .     .     .      xxii,  xlii 
Rox  and  Crate  Material;      ....  li 

Builders,        .     .     •  •''<•     •     •     •      xxxv,  Hi 
Candy,      ........    xviii,  xx,  xxi 

Canned  Vegetables, xxiii 

Carriages, xlv 

Clothing, xv,  Ixviii 

Cigars  and  Tobacco, xliv 

Coal, xxiv 

Coffee,  Tea  and  Spices,      ....        xxiii 

Crackers, xx,  xxii 

Drugs, Ixvi 

Dry  Goods,  .     .     .     second  page  cover,  Ixv 

Electricity, xxxiv 

Elevators,  Electric, liii 

Engravers, Ivi 

Flour  Mills, xlviii 

Forges,  Portable, lix 

Foundry  and  Machine  Shop,  .     .     .          xlv 

Furniture, xxxviii 

Grain  Companies, Ixvii 

Grocers,  Wholesale, xx,  xxi 

Guns, lix 

Hardware, xxvi 

Hats, xxix 

Hospital Ixiv 

Hotels, xvi,  xvii 

Jersey  Cattle, xxxvi 

Jewelry  and  Silver, xviii 

Insurance,  Fire, xii 

Accident xii 

"          Life, xiii 


PAGE. 

Insurance,  Fraternal, xiv 

Iron,  Malleable, lix 

Loans, x,  xi 

Light,  Gas  and  Electric xxvii 

Livery, xxxvi 

Lumber 1,  li 

Macaroni, xxii 

Machinery,  Milling, xlviii 

Machinery,  Forging,       liii 

Marble  and  Granite, xxv 

Meats, xxxvii 

Music, xix,  xxviii 

Office  Building, xv,  Ixviii 

Oils, xxv 

Paints xxii,  xlix 

Photographs  and  Supplies,      .     .     .  Ixvi 

Plumbing,  Heating,  etc.,    ....  xlvii 

Power,  Electric, xxxiv 

Printers  and  Rinders, Ivii 

Pumps, Hi 

Railroads Ix,  Ixiii 

Real  Estate, xi,  xliii 

Saddles,  Leather,  etc., xl,  xii 

Safety  Deposit, xii 

Sash,  Doors,  etc., 1,  li 

Saws liii 

Schools, xviii,  xxviii 

Shoes, xxii,  xlii 

Steel, Iv 

Stoves, xlvi 

Tailoring, xxix 

Vinegar  Works Iviii 

Wagons,  Moline, i 

Wagons,  Bettendorf, Iviii 

Wheels,  Metal, liv 

Woolens, xlii 


Ixxi 


Three 
Air  semi 


'' 


WORKMEN   AT    LUNCHEON. 


INITE  to  make  the  most 
favored  and  attractive 
center  in  the  United  States 
for  business  and  for  resi- 
dence. 


INVITING  opportunities 
await  both  capital  and 
labor.  The  right  time  to 
investigate  is 

NOW! 


A  COKE  SHQVELER. 


Ixxii 


DO  YOU  SEE  THE  BEAUTY  OF  THIS  ILLUSTRATION? 

;•         There  is  nothing  particularly  beautiful  about  the  man's  back  nor  the  scenery,  but  it's  a  JjS 

|,  beautiful  illustration  of  No  Side  Draft.  Four  large  horses  are  drawing  a  High  Flying  Dutch-  ^ 

man  Gang  Plow.  J*  A  snap  shot  was  taken  while  in  motion  (see  the  horses'  hind  feet). 


NO  TUGS  TOUCH. 


NO   HORSES  CROWDED. 


NO  JOCKEYING. 


Send  for 
Circular 


I 


ftll  kinds 

of 
Farm  Tools 


The  Best 
on       4 

Earth      j, 


THE  PLOWS  THAT  MADE  MOLINE  FAMOUS. 

We  would  like  to  give  you  a  good  laugh,  so  send  for  the  game  "  Fun  for  Fifty  •*• 
j,  Evenings."    Inclose  stamp  for  postage,  addressing 

Room  R,  MOLINE  PLO\7  COMPANY,  Moline,  HL 


. 

• 


;; 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

3R05CKI8LAND  ARSENAL:  IN  PEACE  AND  IN  WAR 


30112025302370 


